Tent City 3 Moves To UW Campus During Coronavirus Pandemic

This week, up to 70 residents of Tent City 3 will move their belongings from its current location at Trinity United Methodist Church in Seattle’s Crown Hill neighborhood to a parking lot on the UW campus.

In 2017, one of Seattle’s oldest self-governed homeless camps moved to a parking lot in the southwest corner of the University of Washington’s campus. Today, Tent City 3 is planning a move on Dec. 19 to that same parking lot, near the university’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.

“You can’t be a major university in this urban environment, in Seattle, and not recognize that homelessness isn’t just a crisis, it continues to be a growing crisis,” said Sally Clark, director of regional and community relations for the University of Washington.

After Tent City 3 left the UW campus in 2017, Tent City Collective, a group of students and faculty, began a campaign to welcome the residents back on campus because Tent City 3 moves to a new location every 90 days.

According to an agreement between the university and Seattle Housing and Research Effort, known as SHARE, Tent City 3 will be responsible for prevention and mitigation of the spread of COVID-19. From spacing tents to wearing face coverings, residents are required to comply with recommendations from Public Health - Seattle & King County.

Normally Tent City 3 has a maximum capacity of 97 residents, but it has been lowered to 70 in order to promote social distancing.

“You’re talking about people that usually have been through some trauma that led to them living outside. And for some folks in that community, their health isn’t what it could be, so COVID is a true fear and concern for them,” Clark said.

The university will provide extra sinks for handwashing, two UW-branded face masks and signage to remind residents about the protocols.

During the camp’s stay at UW nearly four years ago, several courses developed volunteer opportunities for students to take part in activities like a dental clinic for residents, music classes, learning about how to interact with patients that are homeless in a health care setting and more.

Due to social distancing requirements and with about 95% of classes being held online, this community engagement will look different. While some students may interact with residents, some volunteering may take place through videoconferencing.

According to Greater Seattle Cares, a nonprofit organization that works to help those living in homeless camps, there are 11 formal encampments in the Puget Sound region.

“Organized tent cities are by no means a replacement for permanent housing, but they do provide a safe place for families and individuals to live until they secure stable housing,” said Ana Mari Cauce, president of the University of Washington in a statement welcoming Tent City 3 in 2016.

During a count on the morning of Jan. 24, 2020 by All Home King County, the regional task force to address homelessness, there were 11,751 individuals experiencing homelessness in the county with about 47% unsheltered.

“Connecting people to stable housing should continue to be a priority. However, if individual housing options are not available, allow people who are living in encampments to remain where they are,” says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on its website.