We can do more for our homeless

Published 2:12 pm Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Regarding the homeless in Auburn and South King County:

A friend said, “First of all, what would Jesus say? He would say, ‘Come on in!’ Jesus sat and worked with those who were lowest in society – those who needed the help.”

Providing stable housing, food and emotional support for people should reduce crime.

The “tent city” term is misleading. The proposal, as I understand it, is not a free-for-all camp. The idea, as I understand it, is to follow the successful Nicklesville model. These communities have tiny, wooden homes and can look nice. But would Jesus care about what one’s safe shelter looks like?

I believe the proposal is to have a Nicklesville-type tiny home or tent community next to a church, for some spiritual support. The Nicklesville community has rules, and everyone votes on who is allowed to be part of the community. This may be a first step toward permanent housing – it can be a staging situation. However, for some weakened by certain conditions, the wait can be several years to get even a small amount of disability insurance money to live on.

A Nickleville-type tent city offers an affordable refuge and a chance at a better life. I appeal to readers to offer heart-centered love, prayer and positive encouragement for anyone who is without a kind and safe residence.

– Linda Redman