The city of Seattle is removing a homeless encampment in Ballard, which has been causing concern among business owners and building managers about housing space. The area near 9th Avenue and 48th Street, north of Leary, has seen a rotating rotation of encampments and is being urged by residents to find more housing. Homeless advocate Bruce Drager, chairman of the Ballard Community Task Force on Homelessness and Hunger, said they have nowhere else to go and that it is cruel and futile to continue to conduct sweeps with the impunity strategy that former mayor Bruce Harrell started. Sutter Hearth and Home President Daniel Hammer said that the city has recently increased efforts to remove encampments from the grassy area and remove parked RVs from Leary. However, questions remain about what more can be done to break this cycle in the neighborhood.