City eases tent-city rules for churches

[rug]

Originally published Monday, October 3, 2011 at 9:08 PM

Advocates for the homeless say they don't expect a proliferation of tent encampments now that the Seattle City Council has voted to allow religious organizations to host tent cities without a permit and without a limit on the number citywide.

By Lynn Thompson
Seattle Times staff reporter

Advocates for the homeless say they don't expect a proliferation of tent encampments now that the Seattle City Council has voted to allow religious organizations to host tent cities without a permit and without a limit on the number citywide.

"There's still not a bunch of congregations rushing to do this, but it does expand the ways the unsheltered in the city are cared for," said the Rev. Bill Kirlin-Hackett, director of the Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness.

The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday that makes encampments a legal accessory use to a religious facility. That means churches, mosques, temples and other faith-based organizations can provide temporary shelter on their property, subject to basic health and safety rules and a limit of 100 people per encampment.

Currently there are two tent encampments in Seattle, Tent City 3 and Nickelsville.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016396646_homeless04m.html

[Jim__]

1. It's unbelievable that we need a law allowing people to help the homeless in this country.

I'm glad that they've passed this law. I hope they amend it to extend the same permission to secular groups. Homeless people in this country need all the help they can get.