Tent City 4 (TC4) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Tent City?
Tent City is a temporary encampment of homeless adults that moves approximately every 90 days. There are two Tent Cities in King County: Tent City 3 (TC3) in Seattle, and Tent City 4 (TC4) on the Eastside.
 
What is the mission of Tent City?

• To provide a safe place for homeless people to spend the night and keep their belongings;
• To give a homeless person the privacy and dignity of their own residence (a tent);
• To develop a sense of community for homeless people who are isolated and alone;
• To empower homeless people by being responsible for their own community.

Why is St Jude’s considering hosting TC4?
The Gospel of Jesus Christ has a clear bias toward the poor. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor” (Matthew 5:3), and devoted much of his earthly ministry toward their care. He went so far as to proclaim that those who minister to the poor are in effect ministering to him (Matthew 25:40).

As Christians, we have a sacred responsibility to care for the poor. By hosting TC4 on the grounds at St Jude, we will be providing a safe place for the homeless to live.

Who sponsors Tent City?
Tent City is sponsored and managed by SHARE/WHEEL. (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 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. SHARE/WHEEL has been operating fixed site shelters for 15 years and operating Tent Cities for five years.

Who runs Tent City 4?
Each Tent City has an executive committee elected by the residents. The Executive Committee is re-elected at regular intervals, to ensure rotation of leadership. All residents are required to attend weekly community meetings and to perform at least one task a day for the community, for a minimum of about 10 hours every two weeks.

How many people live in TC4?
The numbers vary but the average is from 60 to the maximum allowed 100.

Who are the people living in TC4?
Homeless adults: single men and women, and couples. Children are not allowed in Tent City.

What percentage of Tent City residents have a job?
The percentage varies with the TC4 population. Many of the residents are employed, either permanently or temporarily. You will probably see Tent City residents at the bus stop very early in the morning, because they will be down at Labor Ready by 5:30 a.m. to get day-labor jobs. Other residents are in educational programs to improve job skills. There are a few people with disabilities that prevent them from getting a job; many of those are on waiting lists for permanent disability housing.

Do people leave Tent City 4?
The typical length of stay for residents is about 4 months. The Eastside Tent City has found this area to be rich in day-labor and other jobs which lead to permanent employment. In fact, several residents of the 2004 Tent City stay in Woodinville now work and live in Woodinville—such as at McLendon’s and Woodinville Lumber. Other residents, after living a more settled, safe lifestyle surrounded by community volunteers coming and going 24/7, repair relationships with families and move home. One other unique event at Tent City is that while working to keep their own community together, many residents develop friendships with others living in Tent City. After saving money in the free shelter while working, they pool their savings in groups of 2 or 4 people to rent housing together.

How does TC4 handle security?
Tent City 4 is in a fenced area, with a single entry/exit point which is staffed around the clock. Potential residents must have, or obtain, photo ID. With the help of the local police department a check is performed for each applicant in which the applicant’s name is checked against Washington Criminal Information Center (WACIC) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for outstanding warrants and sex offender status. All residents must agree to abide by a code of conduct which includes rules making the area a drug- alcohol-and weapon-free zone.

What happens to potential residents who are not accepted?
If a person seeking admission has outstanding offenses, the person is not admitted and the police are notified to determine arrest status or method of escorting the person out of the area. If the person does not have appropriate ID, he/she must obtain it within 48 hours or leave. If the person is denied access to Tent City due to a history of violent behavior or sexual offenses, he/she is personally escorted to the bus and given a bus pass if necessary. If buses are not running, the individual is placed in a taxicab with taxi script.

What happens to residents who violate the Tent City Code of Conduct?
Illegal activities are referred to law enforcement. In fact, the police drop by Tent City at unannounced intervals throughout the day and night. They get to know the Tent City residents, and work together to maintain a peaceful camp. The code of conduct includes consequences for other violations. Repeated or serious offenses will result in the resident being barred from Tent City.

Does Tent City pose a threat to its neighbors or to school children?
No. According to an official King County investigation: "Concerning children's safety and the potential threat posed by Tent City 4, no evidence exists in the record suggesting area children or others are facing safety risk.... There is no reason to fear people living at Tent City 4."

Has a Tent City ever been located in a residential area or near schools?
Yes. Because the host is usually a church, Tent Cities have normally been in residential neighborhoods. In Bothell, an elementary school was located within a block of Tent City 4; previous Seattle Tent Cities have been within two blocks of at least ten schools, pre-schools or day cares. On the Eastside, Tent City has now been located near or beside schools in about half of its nine sites over two years. School officials have not reported any incidents of Tent City residents having contact with schools or their children, except to lessen the amount of litter in the area. And during the entire history of all Tent Cities, not a single child or other neighbor has been harmed by any Tent City resident, according to police records.

Are neighborhood schools and children safe from possible intruders?
Schools already have procedures in place to deal with unauthorized persons in their buildings and on their grounds. For specific information, contact the schools directly.

Has there been an increase in crime in areas where SHARE/WHEEL's Tent Cities have been located?
No. According to the police in Seattle, Shoreline, Tukwila, Bothell, Kirkland, Bellevue, and Woodinville, there has been no measurable increase in crime in neighborhoods near any Tent City. On May 21, 2004, the Seattle Times published an independent investigation which found that SHARE/WHEEL's Tent Cities do not affect crime rates.

How is transportation for residents handled?
SHARE/WHEEL provides METRO bus passes so TC4 residents can get to their jobs, to job interviews, and to medical appointments. When bus service is reduced (on weekends and holidays) taxi script is available. Also, typically a regular “shuttle service” manned by host/resident volunteers will operate on Sundays. Church and resident volunteers are on an evening stand-by rotation to bring any later-bus-arrivals back to Tent City.

Does TC4 have toilet and shower facilities?
TC4 has portable toilets which are serviced 3 times per week. A portable shower on a trailer will be transported to the site. Drainage from the shower and sinks (called "grey water") is piped into the septic system at the church. The plumbing setup will be inspected before and during the stay by city code enforcement to ensure public health and environmental conditions are maintained.

What about garbage and laundry?
TC4's garbage dumpsters are emptied weekly. Residents do litter patrol of TC4 and surrounding areas. Volunteers will help remove recyclables regularly. Blankets and sleeping bags are laundered once a week at Everett Overall Laundry (services have been donated by this business for two years—free of charge). Personal laundry is handled by each resident, usually at a laundromat.

How does Tent City get hot meals?
Usually a hot dinner is provided by a church or other charitable organization. Other food is donated, but refrigeration facilities are limited. TC4 includes a kitchen tent with a microwave oven for food preparation, but there are no electrical burners or open flames allowed. The Host Congregation is not expected to, but may choose to provide meals or any assistance they deem necessary for the well-being of the Tent City residents. Over the past two years, more than 50 religious and secular organizations have served at least 35,000 hot suppers at Tent City, for an estimated value of over $92,000.

Where does Tent City get tents, blankets, food and other necessities?
Many tents, blankets and other supplies, including food and clothing, are donated by community support from local businesses, parishioners from the host church and from other church congregations, and by residents of the surrounding neighborhood.

Tent City 4 Code of Conduct

We, the people of SHARE/WHEEL, in order to keep a more harmonious community, ask that you observe the following code of conduct:

• SHARE/WHEEL's Tent City 4 is a drug and alcohol free zone. Those caught drinking or using drugs will be asked to leave. Sobriety is required.
• No weapons are allowed. Knives over 3-1/2 inches must be checked in.
• Violence will not be tolerated. Please attempt to resolve any conflict in a creative and nonviolent manner.
• Degrading ethnic, racist, sexist or homophobic remarks are not acceptable. No physical punishment, verbal abuse or intimidation will be tolerated.
• We are a community. Please respect the rights and privacy of your fellow citizens.
• No men in the women’s tents. No women in the men's tents.
• No open flames.
• No loitering or disturbing neighbors. No trespassing.
• Attendance of at least one of the several community meetings held through the week is required. Days and times will be posted so that you may work it into your schedule.

Any of the following are grounds for being permanently barred from Tent City 4:

• Alcohol in camp
• Illegal Drugs in camp
• Violence or Threats of Violence
• Sexual Harassment
• Theft (of any resident’s property or of TC4 community property)
• Anything that causes a 911 call to be placed (other than legitimate Medical Emergency)
• Open flames or smoking in tents
• Repeated Write-Ups for Minor Infractions
• Violating any of our specific agreements with the current Host Church and/or Host City (ask any Executive Committee Member if in doubt as to these agreements)

If these rules are not respected and enforced, Tent City 4 may be permanently closed.