NEWS-TRIBUNE

For the third time in the past five years, the parking lot of Trinity United Methodist Church will serve as host to Tent City, which acts as temporary housing for about 100 homeless people and has moved around the city and its suburbs in the past years.

But unlike past years, when tempers have run high and accusations amuck, hardly any protests have come from Ballardites so far with Tent City's planned visit of Aug. 12.

A meeting at the church two Saturday evenings ago proved to be very uneventful as compared to past meetings when Tent City has been discussed, said pastor of Trinity United Methodist Rich Lang.

He, only three church members and about one neighbor discussed Tent City's move in.

"The grumblers are mostly quiet now," said Lang. In 2001, the first year Tent City came to Ballard, there was deep upset among much of the community with worries about safety and crime.

Lang said more than 100 people came to protest the housing project in it's first year, and protesters even organized a picket in front of the church.

"The first year was just humiliating," said Lang. "It was human nature at it's worst, people were just scared out of their box."

The second year Tent City made it's way to Trinity United Methodist, in 2002, the church housed only about 50 people for the meeting and naysayers were largely unheard, said Lang.

The pastor said he thinks most people realized they were overreacting after the first year of Tent City in Ballard went on without any problems.

The past two times Tent City has stayed here their stint has lasted six weeks, and Lang said by the end of the first six weeks people were apologizing for their quick to judge attitudes.

"I think it is an economic refugee city and they (the homeless) are really just working class citizens who can no longer afford housing for many different reasons," said Lang. "My experience is that (Tent City) is really a transitional place for most of them, and many of them usually only stay for about a month or two and then transition to a roof over their head."

Resident Jody Haug, who has been involved with Tent City's visits in the past, said "there have been a few disgruntled people in the neighborhood, but most people are OK with it now."

"Last time they were here the church did a great job caring for them, and I am sure they will do the same this time," she said.

"They are people trying to better their lives and I admire that," said Lang. "Besides the moving in and moving out, they probably won't be noticed much."

Tent City will move to Trinity United Methodist Church on Friday Aug. 12 and leave Friday Sept. 2. The church will host a neighborhood potluck send off for their departure on Sept. 1.