Olympia Washington . . . perhaps the smallest city by the numbers, but clearly a larger metropolitan area. 50,000 population, roughly.
CAMP QUIXOTE
This was one of the encampments that rotates from church to church every three months. Background checks, fence, no alcohol or drugs allowed like any “program” run facility (as opposed to the grassroots encampments.), resident run security, common area tent with electricity. Pot is about to be legalized in Washington but they will likely treat it like alcohol. They use carports for their tents. They have 30 people staying there. They are looking forward to moving into their new village by the 23rd of the month, they get homes for Christmas presents.
QUIXOTE VILLAGE
They will have to pay 30% of their income to live here, alcohol will be allowed. They have a nice huge community facility that includes two offices, a meeting room, mail box area, a double kitchen, showers/restrooms, and a general gathering area. Clearly work in progress.
The houses have to be built by contractors because they have federal money, so volunteers can’t help build the homes. The homes have heat, sprinklers, restrooms and they are a little larger than the 98 square foot houses we are building.Only one person can live in a unit so couples will get two houses.
I have one more post tomorrow, and if you missed the other four posts from our trip, they are here.
Right to Dream Too – Portland, Ore
Dignity Village – Portland, Ore
Opportunity Village – Eugene, Ore
Whoville and Eugene SLEEPS – Eugene, Ore
and tomorrow Tent City #3 – Seattle
I will also do a fact checked thorough final summary – but that will take some time. Perhaps next week. I want to double check the info with the people we visited.