SPACE NEEDED: Anywhere from 20 x 30 yards to 35 x 55 yards on a relatively flat ground. Blacktop, asphalt, grass, or blackberry shrub land areas all work.
CAPACITY: Up to 100 participants, negotiable with host.
STRUCTURES NEEDED: One large men's tent, one large women's tent, one food service tent, and numerous small tents for individuals and couples. These are provided by SHARE/WHEEL and/or Tent City participants.
UTILITIES: SHARE/WHEEL can provide all utilities. We have the infrastructure to bring in water daily and haul out all garbage daily. Our contract with the Northwest Cascade Honeybuckets is for four Sanicans that are pumped three times a week. No electricity is needed, as we have propane lanterns and coolers with ice to store perishable food. Hand washing stations are placed near both the food and Sanican areas. Wastewater is emptied in the nearest city sewage drainage receptacle.
FOOD: No food is prepared on site. Everything is brought in. Leftover perishable soups and casseroles are removed directly after being served.
TRANSPORTATION: Food, supplies, blankets, garbage, etc. are brought in and out by van. Tent City participants are provided with bus tickets which are utilized for daily bus travel to work and appointments.
CONDUCT: Tent City's strict Code of Conduct is stringently enforced by Security Workers and a five-person Executive Committee which is elected on a regular basis.
SECURITY: Two security workers are on duty at all times, and check in all visitors. They patrol the grounds, and at the host's request can also patrol neighboring areas.
CLEANLINESS: Blankets are cleaned weekly. Participants are required to keep up good hygiene at hygiene centers in downtown Seattle.
LENGTH OF TIME: We have been located at sites for as little as several days. Once a host has set a time period for our stay no further extensions are requested. We would like to stay in one location for anything between one week to six months.
INCOMPATIBLE USES: Tent City has been located in single family neighborhoods, next to day care centers, close to schools, and in isolated areas. None of these uses has been found incompatible with Tent City.
COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION: At all locations SHARE/WHEEL informs the neighbors of the presence of Tent City, how it works, and of our promise to leave if any problem occurs which we cannot correct or stop from repeating. At the discretion of our host, we would be delighted to host a Community Notification Meeting or Open House.
IMPACT AND COST TO HOST: When Tent City leaves, the property is left in the same or better condition than it was found. There are no expenses incurred by Tent City hosts. Most Tent City host report that providing shelter for homeless people is a part o their religious calling, and being able to fulfill their mission effectively kept their mission vital.
1. All residents of Tent City must be clean, sober, and non-violent.
If they aren't, security is responsible for asking them to leave,
and seeing to it that they do. If a resident refuses to leave
in spite of security's efforts, wake a Tent City Executive Committee
Member.
2. Security is responsible for settling disagreements amongst
campers in a peaceful manner.
3. Walk around the campground every _ hour to ensure that this
area and our people staying here are drug and alcohol free, there
are no fights, and that the camp is secure from all harm.
4. See that all residents sign in daily on the sign in sheet.
a. New residents must read and agree to abide by our Tent City
"Code of Conduct"
b. Have returning residents sign in, or find their name on the
sign in sheet if they're already signed in.
c. Residents may come and go as they like.
d. Welcome new residents. Find space, mats, and blankets. Offer
them food, coffee, etc.
5. Please wake up residents on the wake-up list on time.
6. Respond to emergencies. A cell phone is available to call 911
in need. Fire extinguishers and first-aid kits are available;
all monitors must know their location and how to use them
1. Empty garbage and replace liner.
2. Clean off tables and throw away old dishes etc.
3. Empty hand washing wastewater buckets in the storm drain.
Day Security
1. Entertain our visitors, answer their questions, ask them to
sign our Tent City Guest Book (found in the kitchen area), and
give them a copy of our Tent City handout.
2. Talk to the police, fire department, health department, and
media in the interest of Tent City.