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St. Jude Catholic Church welcomed Tent City 4 to its Redmond location on February 10th. The city of Redmond, where a one bedroom apartment generally rents for $911 to $1188 a month, issued a permit, but then rescinded it, threatening to fine St. Jude up to $500.00 a day for occupying the space. The stay could end up costing the church more than $37,000, which it says it will pay with donations, not parish funds.

In March, I visited tent city and interviewed pastor David Rogerson and three residents of tent city.

On any given day there are about 6,000 homeless people in Seattle. There are about 4,000 sleeping spaces available -- if you count all the shelter beds, emergency mats on the floor, transitional housing, DHHS motel vouchers, and a few beds provided for the ill. That leaves 2,000 people squatting in abandoned buildings, sleeping in cars, sleeping under and next to the freeway, or sleeping in parks and wooded areas. For many, living in a tent city is a better option. It's safe and the people are treated as human beings.

The term tent city covers a wide variety of usually temporary housing community made of tents. Although many tent cities originate spontaneously, the Tent City 4 in Redmond (TC4) is planned. TC4 is a homeless encampment of up to 100 people operated by the homeless residents and sponsored by 501(c)(3) organizations Seattle Housing and Resources Effort (SHARE) and Women's Housing Equality and Enhancement League (WHEEL). The camp was created in May 2004 and moves between places of worship in eastern King County. The community currently relocates every 90 days.

Contrary to some stereotypes regarding the homeless, many residents of TC4 are employed, mostly in temporary or day labor jobs, but have insufficient income to obtain more permanent housing. Residents may have their own tents or single men or women may stay in gender specific community tents. The average length of residency is six weeks, with fewer long-term than short-term members.

TC4 governs itself. It has an Advisor, similar to an executive, and a rotating Executive Committee elected by the community in a one person, one vote structure. TC4 has differentiated itself from many other encampments by requiring residents to sign a "Code of Conduct" and performing warrant checks and sex offender checks on all potential residents. The "Code of Conduct" is an agreement to abstain from drugs and alcohol while at the camp and share responsibility for site security and maintenance.

Interview with Pastor David Rogerson

indymedia: Was there a parish debate about hosting tent city?

David Rogerson: About two thirds were in favor of hosting tent city. Some people feel this is not the best way to shelter the homeless. [They think] indoor shelters are better. Other people think it's too cushy. And that it makes people prone not to get jobs. But a lot of it is the fear of the unknown, not knowing who is coming into the neighborhood.

But now that tent city has been here three weeks, that concern has gone away. They recognize these are the working poor and they need a place to get on their feet. But it was hard. Some people found it very difficult [to support a tent city] especially since we didn't have a valid permit in place.

indymedia: There seems to be a lot of fear of the homeless. Should the people of Redmond be afraid of having the homeless among them?

David Rogerson: ... Even the office staff were thinking, it probably would be good for us to take extra security precautions because there are just more people around. But one of the things that's been evident after a couple of weeks is that we're safer now than we normally are because we have 50 people out back who all care very much about us and our program. And if you need anything, they're more than willing to help.

Rather than being a negative security factor, tent city [has] been a positive safety element here on our campus.

indymedia: Do Christians have a responsibility to help the poor?

David Rogerson: Yes. I think the debate comes on how best to do that... In this parish there have been all kinds of generous efforts... but this is the first time we've hosted tent city. So this really is a hands on ministry that helps us to see the poor as not just somebody out there but to recognize that there are homeless on the Eastside and folks in our midst that need our care and concern.

indymedia: Any last thoughts?

David Rogerson: It's great for people to be aware that the homeless have a faith and they've got names and they are real people and they are concerned about communities, about children... just like the rest of us are. And that they want to be good neighbors. And that's what they've shown themselves to be so far in their first month here at St. Jude.

Interview with Bruce Thomas, tent city resident elected camp Advisor to Tent City 4:

indymedia: How long have you lived in tent city?

Bruce Thomas: I've been here since we started it back in May 2004.

indymedia: What problems have you had with the public?

Bruce Thomas: We just moved here from St. John Vianney Catholic Church on big Finn Hill just outside of Kirkland. That was our second stay at St. John Vianney. The first time we were there we had protesters out with signs saying, oh my goodness they're coming .... guard our children, crime will go up, property values will go down. The second time we [were there] there was absolutely no neighborhood reaction other than welcome back, it's nice to see you.

Interview with tent city resident, Bob Piper:

indymedia: What do you think of tent city?

Bob Piper: My wife and I have been here five weeks now. We love it very much... It's a good, safe place for us.

indymedia: How has the church received you?

Bob Piper: With open arms. It's been amazing ....the people, the neighbors, the church.... It's been a blessing.

Interview with Andrew, Tent City 4 resident:

Andrew talked about attending a town meeting and hearing the hostility of the public. He said that those in the public who fear the homeless have stereotypes of homeless people as being alcoholics and unemployed: "Their perceptions of homelessness is so distorted. Most people here do work. The people who don't ... are unable [to work] because of disabilities."

And as far as the homeless participating in criminal activities, Andrew believes they are less apt to do that if they have a place to live. If you don't have a home or a place like tent city then survival is difficult and Andrew says you will do whatever is necessary to survive.

Andrew has a job that pays commission. He's expecting to make enough money to get a place to live in the near future.