Hotel owner sues Seattle, King County over contamination after homeless shelter lease

Neha Nariya, owner of the Civic Hotel in Seattle, has initiated legal action against the city and King County, citing contamination of the hotel with methamphetamine and fentanyl after it was used as a homeless shelter. She claims the property is now uninhabitable due to the neglect following the termination of their lease in December 2024. The lawsuit references a tragic case from 2024 in which a baby was discovered deceased inside the hotel, with drugs found in their system. Nariya argues that the city failed to enforce drug-free policies during the shelter's operation. Both the city and county have admitted to the contamination but are deflecting responsibility for cleanup efforts.

Purpose Dignity Action, which managed the shelter, refutes some of Nariya's accusations, maintaining that they upheld cleanliness and tenant rules. The situation reflects broader issues in managing homeless shelters and the responsibilities of local government. Nariya's ongoing struggle underscores the urgent need for accountability and action regarding public health and safety in community facilities.