THANK YOU for welcoming Tent City 3 to Our Redeemer's Church!

At Our Redeemer's we are dedicated to being a partner and resource in our community. We greatly appreciate all of the partners who joined with us to host the men and women living in Tent City 3 in our parking lot, March 1-April 26, 2008. To help improve our hosting experience next time, please send feedback to tentcity3ourredeemers@gmail.com

Partners:

Ahmaidyya Muslim Community of Seattle
Blue Plate Express
Brownie Troop 5659
Full Circle Farms
Gibbs Family
Greater Seattle Cares
Kemly Electric
Loyal Heights Elementary School Families
Madame K’s
North Beach Elementary School Families
QFC at 85th & 15th
Romio’s on Greenwood
Scandinavian Bakery
Snoose Junction
Stacia’s Gourmet Pizza & Pasta
The Waterwheel Restaurant
University Unitarian Church
Upper Crust Catering
Windermere Real Estate, Ballard office
and More!

Thank you!

Information Resources: (Adobe pdf files)
Welcome Tent City 3 postcard (mailed to neighbors)
A Letter to Neighbors from Our Redeemer's
Tent City 3 Code of Conduct
Letter of Support From a Tent City 3 Neighbor
Links to additional information about homelessness at the end of our FAQ

Tent City 3 (TC3) Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Tent City 3 and who are its residents?
Tent City 3 is a self-managed community of up to 100 men and women joining together to solve their shared problem of no place to stay. Everyone must be sober and non-violent at Tent City 3 and the surrounding area. It is a tent camp, not a car camp. Panhandling and violence are strictly prohibited. Residents say that Tent City is a safe shelter and a place of identity and dignity for them.

2. What is SHARE/WHEEL and what do they do?
SHARE/WHEEL, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is an organization of homeless and recently homeless men and women, doing their best to improve their condition and eliminate homelessness. (SHARE stands for "Seattle Housing and Resource Effort". WHEEL stands for "Women's Housing Equality and Enhancement League".) SHARE/WHEEL operates 15 fixed site shelters, storage lockers and two Tent City locations. SHARE/WHEEL manages 350 indoor shelter beds in Seattle, making it the largest shelter-providing organization in the Pacific Northwest.

3. What is the history and character of Tent City 3?
- The first Tent City was started in 1990
- Tent City 3 was started in 2000 and has moved about 50 times to 35 different hosts.
- Tent City 3 moves every 60-90 days (City req’m’t, 90 days is max length of stay)
- The following are not tolerated: drugs, alcohol, weapons, or violence. Violators must leave and cannot return.
- Screening is done for all residents, including criminal and sex offender checks.
- Tent City 3 is self-governed (administration is handled by SHARE/WHEEL employees)
- Attendance by residents at community meetings is required.
- Tent City 3 residents conduct regular security patrols and report any suspicious behavior. Security at the camp is always on duty.
- Litter pickup is done regularly in the blocks surrounding Tent City 3.
- Potable toilets, dumpsters, and bus tickets are provided by SHARE. Pumping toilets and emptying the dumpster is also done by SHARE.
- Cooking at the site is very limited. Most meals are brought in by churches and community service organizations.
- Electricity is not required but is greatly appreciated; to run a coffee pot, a TV or a few lights.
- Access to water is needed and appreciated.
- Showers, mail and banking services are provided by the Lutheran Compass Center downtown and other organizations.

4. What do residents do during the day?
Some have jobs (via bus service); some bus it to the Compass Center for mail, showers or laundry or to DSHS. Some are searching for jobs or permanent housing. The average stay in Tent City is 3-9 months.

5. What will our neighbors think/feel if we host Tent City 3?
We think it is important to find out. We are encouraged that so far neighbor response has been supportive. We will hold two community meetings before hosting Tent City 3 to hear our neighbor’s questions and concerns. A neighborhood meeting is required 2-3 weeks prior to Tent City 3 moving to a site. Tent City 3 tours are offered for both the congregation and the community. In other neighborhoods community response has been positive.

6. Of the many reasons given for hosting Tent City 3, what are two most notable?
- Last January 2007, the congregation of Our Redeemer’s voted overwhelmingly in favor of helping to end homelessness in King County. The pledge included a specific action of supporting the residents of Tent City 3.
- Near universal attitude of other hosting communities that new meaning was given to the phrase “There but for the grace of God go I”.

7. Why is there a Tent City?
Poverty is on the rise in the United States and affordable housing is difficult to find, especially in the Seattle area. Someone earning minimum wage in King County must work more than 95 hours each week in order to afford a typical fair-market value two-bedroom apartment. Each night more than 8,000 people are homeless in King County. It is not just the very poor, mentally ill, and addicted people who become homeless, but also working people who simply can’t afford a home. Anyone can become homeless if they are forced into unemployment with no financial cushion, must immediately leave a domestic violence situation, or fall ill or become injured (without health insurance or disability benefits).

8. How can I be involved?
- Offer a meal: To schedule call Greater Seattle Cares, Mary Gould @ 206-660-6168
- Donate supplies (garbage bags, batteries, warm socks, flashlights, phone cards, duct tape, tents and more) at the Tent City 3 security desk or call Share/Wheel @ 206-448-7889.
- Donate by check to cover basic costs (garbage removal, electricity, portable toilets) Send checks to: Share/Wheel, PO Box 2548 Seattle, WA 98111. Please write: “Tent City Donation”

Information Resources:

Committee to End Homelessness in King County
http://www.cehkc.org/

Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness
http://www.itfhomeless.org/

Ballard Food Bank
http://www.ballardfoodbank.org/

Compass Center
http://www.compasscenter.org/

Church Council of Great Seattle
http://www.churchcouncilseattle.org/

Operation Nightwatch
http://www.seattlenightwatch.org/

Real Change Newspaper
http://www.realchangenews.org/

Seattle King County Coalition for the Homeless
http://www.homelessinfo.org/

National Coalition for the Homeless
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/

Washington State Coalition for the Homeless
http://www.endhomelessnesswa.org/

Tent City 3 Information
Tent City 3 on YouTube
http://www.seattleu.edu/tentcity/
http://www.cityofseattle.net/commnty/Beacon/docs/TentCityInfo.htm
http://www.anitraweb.org/homelessness/faqs/tentcities.html