There are no drunks, drug users, panhandlers or bums at Tent City 3. The residents are careful to maintain their temporary encampments, make sure there is no noise after 9 p.m. and minimize impacts to the neighborhood. That is probably why, when Tent City moved back to the St. Joseph's parish school playground in late June, after a two-year absence, there were no protests, no anger and no resistance from the neighborhood.
"It has been a very smooth transition for them to come back here," said Steve Wodzanowski, a St. Joseph's Parish staff member. "It seems like wherever they move in the city I don't think they draw that much attention."
When Tent City 3, a shelter project by Share/Wheel, a city-sponsored non-profit shelter agency, was first invited to St. Joseph's, at 19th Avenue East and East Aloha Street, the neighborhood was wary, apprehensive and alarmed. The self-policing group turned out to be such a responsible, good neighbor that neighborhood resignation has turned into welcome. Such acceptance is in stark contrast to the reaction to Tent City 4, a similar roving homeless shelter that has generated often heated opposition on the Eastside.
"This year everyone who calls wants to help out in some way," Wodzanowski said.
Tent City 3 is a place for people who have found themselves homeless to get back on their feet. Rent is free, and a third to a half of the 100 or so residents have regular jobs. All the residents are adults, there are no families with children, though there are couples. Downtown homeless shelters do not allow couples to stay together and, according to Tent City residents, do not provide the sense of security and community they find in Tent City.
Jeffrey "Hollywood" Moorer is a Tent City resident. He says his situation is a little different from the average resident, but it is likely that all of the stories are different. There does not seem to be a single, typical path to homelessness.
Moorer has been with Tent City for 90 days. He is a welder, a 26-year union man, foreman with seven certifications attesting to his skills. He came to Seattle from New Jersey with a good job offer, and three days after he and his son arrived, someone broke into their shared motel room and stole all their money, identification and personal belongings. Moorer had just $400 in his pocket, and used most of that to buy a train ticket for his son to return east.
Left with no place to stay, Moorer checked out the homeless shelters and was repulsed by what he found.
"There was a stench in the air, it turned my stomach," Moorer said. "There were too many dysfunctional people and I felt out of place." He had the tools he had taken to his job the day he was robbed and nothing else. Someone at the shelter suggested Tent City.
"I have never been homeless before," Moorer said. As a senior union welder he is used to making $90,000 to $110,000 per year. He did not want to dip into his retirement account and incur huge tax penalties, so he decided to stay at Tent City until he could save enough money to afford a place of his own. He expects to be moving on in another 30 days.
"I've met some really great people here," Moorer said. "They may be homeless, but they are good-hearted people."
Everyone takes turns doing jobs in Tent City whether it is cleaning, cooking, maintaining security or whatever else has to be done. Moorer actually spends very little time at the installation because he works seven days a week. However, when he is there he is well known and liked by his fellow residents and he takes his turn with the chores.
"It's all structured," Moorer said. "If you don't have structure, you've got nothing."
He said Tent City really does help people get back on their feet. He tries to help with that by employing fellow residents when he gets jobs where he needs to organize a crew.
"It gives them something to do for a few days, and it puts money in their pockets," Moorer said. "I try to do what I can for them."
Moorer is high on the concept of Tent City, and knows first-hand that it fills an important need.
"I think it's a fantastic operation," Moorer said. "I had no alternative but to take money from my retirement. Here I can get a good night's sleep and I am refreshed and able to work in the morning."
Typically he get up at 4:45 a.m., washes up with a body scrub from a hose (some Tent City locations provide shower accommodations, but not at St. Joseph's), eats a bowl of oatmeal and takes the bus downtown either to the union hall or a job site. After work he often stops at one of the facilities that are available for homeless people where he takes a shower and gets ready for work the next day.
"I never thought it would happen to me," Moorer said. "I have definitely learned the idea of humbling yourself, that's for sure."
In 30 days Moorer will be moving to his own apartment in north Seattle, but he will take a bit of Tent City with him in his heart, and return periodically to renew his ties.
"I made a pact with myself and the Lord," Moorer said. ""When I get situated I am going to take one weekend a month and stay with Tent City so I never forget what they have done for me."
Freelance writer Korte Brueckmann lives on Capitol Hill and can be reached at editor@capitol hilltimes.com or 461-1308.
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