SEATTLE — Mayor Ed Murray and members of the Seattle Restaurant Alliance served lunch to residents of the newly opened encampment in the Interbay neighborhood, called Tent City 5.
There were 19 residents who had moved in about one week ago, and a new family of four with small children arrived overnight.
Mayor Murray acknowledged that there were people in the community both in support, and in opposition to the encampment opening at that spot.
“But in the end, this is a generous city, and so many restaurants stepped up. Because this is a city that actually recognizes that these are people, through no fault of their own – either addiction or mental illness, or a loss of a job – find themselves homeless. And it’s a national crisis,” Murray said.
Among the donors was Ethan Stowell Restaurants.
Angela Stowell said, “We need to keep the people of our community safe. And the people who are in this camp are our community, and I think that that’s something that gets really lost.”
One of the residents enjoying a meal was Cheyann Osterberg, who became homeless almost a year ago when she aged out of the foster care system at 18.
“I’d rather make the best out of my situation and what I’ve got than be ungrateful for the little things,” Osterberg said.
Tent City 5 is one of two encampments that opened within the last week. Nickelsville also opened in Ballard, with residents living in tiny houses.
At the Interbay location, residents have pitched tents on raised platforms. They have honey buckets, a shower and a commissary area.
“I have a lot to be thankful for on Thanksgiving,” Osterberg said.
Mayor Murray declared a state of emergency for homelessness within the past month. The city council then approved more than $8 million in emergency funds to address the problem.
Murray will meet with mayors of Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles next month to discuss the problem of homelessness in their cities.
KIRO
