Redwood Family Church lead pastor Todd Puckett says, “I hate homelessness, but we love homeless people.”
For the second time, the Redmond church — located at 11500 Redmond-Woodinville Road — has welcomed about 60 Tent City 4 residents into its fold for an estimated three-month stay on its grounds. Seattle Housing and Resources Effort (SHARE) and Women’s Housing Equality and Enhancement League (WHEEL) sponsor Tent City 4, which is a self-operated and self-governed democratic society.
Tent City 4’s first stay at Redwood was during the summer and fall of 2013 and residents returned to the site on Aug. 28. Prior to moving back to Redmond, residents stayed at Temple B’nai Torah in Bellevue for three months. (Tent City 4 has previously set up camp at St. Jude Parish in Redmond.)
Puckett and a SHARE community member, who chose to remain anonymous, said so far things have been running smoothly for the residents, church members and neighbors.
Two large signs are posted outside of the church notifying people that Tent City 4 is there and the City of Redmond held a public meeting on Aug. 26 for people to discuss the encampment. Puckett said about 20 people attended the meeting and one person was concerned they didn’t receive a flier regarding the camp’s return to Redwood. Puckett noted that neighbors who live within 500 feet of Tent City 4 receive fliers, and the person who didn’t receive one lived 800 feet away.
The SHARE community member said one or two neighbors sent complaint letters to the City of Redmond. In a Reporter story following the end of Tent City 4’s stay in 2013, Redmond Police Department (RPD) officer Julie Beard, who’s now a lieutenant, said there were eight arrests for disorderly conduct, domestic violence, possession of drug paraphernalia, stolen property and outstanding warrants at the encampment. Tent City 4 residents are subject to a criminal-background check and sex-offender check.
According to Janessa Rosick, RPD public information officer, “Redmond police have a great relationship with the residents of Tent City 4. No extra patrol than normal has been needed in that particular area of Education Hill.” During its current stay, RPD has received one Tent City 4-related call, which was for medical assistance, Rosick added.
Puckett said he and the Redwood congregation are excited to have the Tent City 4 residents back on site.
“It’s a natural transition,” Puckett said.
About 15-20 residents worship at the church on Sundays and a host of community members have welcomed the residents back by supplying meals and clothes. Members of the Skyline High School football team from Sammamish helped move the residents onto the Redwood grounds like they did in 2013. The SHARE community member said Tent City 4 has a good relationship with the church, and two residents are planning on getting married on site.
Attel Shillo, who lives on one side of Tent City 4 on Northeast 113th Court, is glad the homeless residents have a place to stay and appreciates organizations like SHARE/WHEEL.
“On the other side, I have to admit that every time they come here there’s a little bit of making sure the kids are not outside too much or locking the car more than usual. The level of caution is a notch higher,” she said. “I guess it’s sort of a price that I’m willing to pay in order for them to have a solution.”
Shillo’s neighbor Steve Roach said things haven’t changed on his block since Tent City 4 residents moved back.
“Normally, they take care of themselves, they have trash bags out to pick up any litter. We didn’t even hardly notice they were there other than the signage,” he said, adding that he sees residents frequenting the bus stop to catch their rides to and from work.
Roach supports what Tent City 4 stands for in offering people a place to rest their heads at night and supporting them in their job searches.
On a high note, Puckett added that two former Tent City 4 residents from Redwood have since found their own housing, so “it’s a couple cool stories there.”
