REDMOND — Critics of Tent City's plan to put down stakes in Redmond say it comes down to one thing: location, location, location.

Of the roughly 150 people who showed up at a public meeting on the possibility of Tent City moving to Redmond last night, many said it's the proposed camp site, not the campers, they oppose.

St. Jude Catholic Church is seeking city approval of its plan to host the homeless encampment for three months beginning in February.

Neighborhood residents said the church, which is at 10526 166th Ave. N.E., within a few blocks of Horace Mann Elementary and Redmond Junior High schools, is the wrong place for homeless to live.

Some suggested various other places in the city as alternatives, such as Marymoor Park, the grassy area next to Redmond Police Station or private homes.

Karen Rossman said she fears that the encampment could put her grandchildren in danger. She said she's been homeless, and her 30-year-old son is currently homeless, but she wouldn't want him living at Tent City.

"I don't want to be an enabler," she said. "I want him to get a job."

Supporters of Tent City said their Christian values compelled them to welcome the homeless and try to help them. Bill McKenzie of Redmond called the opportunity to host Tent City an "honor," and said Redmond residents are duty-bound to help the less fortunate. Holly Plackett, co-chair of King County's advisory committee on homeless encampments and a former Redmond council member, urged Redmond residents to visit Tent City before turning it away.

Brandishing police reports from previous Tent City locations, Naomi Call noted that police found sex offenders living at previous Tent City sites. She said that many homeless people suffer from mental illness, but because they often lack adequate health care or medications, they medicate themselves with drugs, alcohol or both.  Read Article