Moving Day... Every 60 Days

Tent City 3 is sponsored by host churches, per the city's consent decree. And TC3 can stay at a particular host site for up to 90 days. However, lately, it seems like they've been moving every 60 days. Today was moving day, wherein everything is packed up and loaded into massive trucks and then set up all over again in a new location. Everyone is required to help with the move, otherwise you can be banned. It's a massive effort and a phenomenal glance into just how TC3 works as a self-governed entity. The take-down and set-up happens all within one day, which is really a herculean effort considering it's 100 people's belongings as well as communal spaces.

TC3's new location is praised in many ways, with an emphasis on the larger amount of space it affords residents. However, it's in Northern Seattle, requiring a lengthy bus ride with a transfer to get downtown, which, unsurprisingly, is where most health care and job related resources are. 

We went over to help with the loading this morning. Here's a few photos:

Here's just one of the moving trucks used today. You can see one of the many piles of wooden pallets and baseboards used to as the ground for individuals' tents to help keep out moisture and the cold. 

Just a glance of what 100 peoples' belongings look like. Residents say the move every 60-90 days is completely exhausting, unsurprisingly.

Another shot of people's belongings.