APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO HOMELESSNESS IN WALLA WALLA

Walla Walla Alliance for the Homeless

I.  Executive Summary

           

Introduction

On August 15, 2016, the city manager instructed city staff to begin a study of how the City of Walla Walla could best respond to persistent homelessness. The study was to include preparation of a homeless camping plan consisting of an inventory of all available city property, a review of best practices for homeless campgrounds, a set of criteria for site selection including security and other needs, a rating of sites, input from stakeholders, and a list of the top several site recommendations.  The results were to be ready for review by the public and presentation to the city council in October or November.

At the same time, the City approved the establishment of a temporary campground to provide a safe, legal place for homeless citizens of Walla Walla to reside while the City studied longer-term responses.  The GOTR (Getting Off the Road) campground is located at the foot of the hill leading to the Veterans Memorial Municipal Golf Course, on the same site used as a music tour campground facility by the Gentlemen of the Road (GOTR) in August 2015.

The council had previously authorized council member Steve Moss to establish a Downtown Work Group on disorderly conduct and homelessness in the downtown area, which met 10 times beginning on July 27. 

At a city council workshop on November 7, 2016, the council received the preliminary staff report, including recommendations of the Downtown Work Group, and heard public comments.  At the conclusion of the workshop, the council authorized the GOTR campground to continue at least until mid-February, 2017, in order to provide winter stability for homeless residents, and to allow the council time to further study the recommendations and comments it had received.

Conclusions and Recommendations 

There appears to be general agreement that 

• homelessness is a chronic issue that will continue to exist for a variety of reasons,
• although it is a county-wide issue, homelessness particularly affects the City of Walla Walla since homeless citizens tend to congregate here,
• additional affordable and barrier-free permanent housing is needed to accommodate Walla Walla’s homeless citizens,
• legally prohibiting homeless camping in Walla Walla’s downtown and other public places requires the provision of one or more designated public places where homeless camping is allowed,
• downtown homeless issues and complaints have been greatly reduced, almost to zero, since allowing the camp,
• day center services are needed
• a designated campground for those awaiting permanent housing should be near services, and should also provide on-site social services and management.

Campers have not been included in the previous studies, and only one council member has been involved in the study groups.  The Alliance recommends that the city council appoint a further committee including council members, campers, Alliance representatives, and other appropriate persons to visit the existing camp as well as other proposed sites, and to consider best management practices and other issues related to the operation of a campground for the benefit of the entire community as well as Walla Walla’s homeless citizens.

Based on its experience working at the GOTR campground, the Alliance lists below its recommendations concerning the most workable campground location, campground facility elements, and management and operational needs. 

 

II. Recommended Responses to Homelessness

It is clear that homelessness has been increasing in Walla Walla and throughout the nation over the last decade.  Permanent affordable housing has not kept pace with the need, and should be a top priority for community and nationwide response.  At the same time, immediate needs of homeless citizens should be met in humane and appropriate ways through the creation of comprehensive systems that accommodate all of our citizens.

Walla Walla’s two current shelters provide important services, but neither is barrier-free and each has significant limitations. The YWCA shelter is limited to female victims of domestic violence, and requires that residents be substance-free.  In addition to religious requirements, most stays at the Christian Aid Center are limited to 30 days for single men who must also be substance-free.  No accommodations are provided for homeless couples or those with pets, and accommodations for women have been full since closure of the Helpline STEP shelter, with many women turned away. 

A key element in meeting the immediate needs of homeless persons in Walla Walla is the designation and effective operation of a well-managed homeless campground as a safe, legal, and barrier-free place for unsheltered citizens to reside while they are given assistance to obtain permanent housing. 

Site for Campground

City staff listed several considerations to be used in evaluating city properties for potential suitability as a campground.  These included, among others, access by emergency services, proximity to public transportation and social services, and impacts on neighborhoods and businesses.  The four sites recommended by staff for consideration were: (1) the east end of Fort Walla Walla Park west of Chestnut Street,  (2) the undeveloped west side of Mountain View Cemetery along Third Avenue, (3) the city parking lot at Sumach & Fifth, and (4) the existing campground area on the north side of Rees Avenue along Highway 12. 

The Alliance recommends the current location, which is Option #4, for the following reasons:

Option #1 is located in the immediate vicinity of several housing facilities, as well as nearby Blue Ridge Elementary School.  Access to the site is limited to the bicycle trail beginning at the terminus of Chestnut Street, making it difficult for agency staff, donors, and volunteers to assist there.  The western portion of the site also includes dense wilderness areas where it would be difficult to control unauthorized expansion.

 Option #2 directly adjoins a residential neighborhood to the north, and is located far from both public transportation and services of any kind.  

Option #3 is surrounded on all sides by a residential neighborhood.

Option #4 is buffered from residences by Highway 12, is easily accessible by agency staff, emergency services, donors and volunteers, and is in reasonable proximity to public transportation and other services. The site is limited on all sides, with Highway 12 to the east, Rees Avenue to the south, Par 72 Drive to the west, and a steep hill to the north. Public utilities are immediately adjacent to the site.

Campground Facility Requirements

Based on its experience working at the GOTR campground, the Alliance recommends that the following elements be included in any homeless campground, regardless of its location:

1. Proximity to public transportation and public services.

2. Perimeter fencing for both security and screening.

3. Toilets, shower, and hand-washing facility

4.  Utilities, including water, electricity, garbage, and a drainage system

5.  Parking availability to accommodate agency staff, volunteers, and donors

6.  Common spaces for administration, meetings, social service interviews, secure storage

     of equipment and supplies, and food preparation

7.  Fire pit

8.  Management by a city department or non-profit agency.

Hours of Operation

Most homeless citizens don’t own their own tents and other needed camping equipment or a place to store them. At the existing campground, these items are loaned to residents during their stay at the camp. The time required for proper installation of a tent and needed coverings makes it impractical to dismantle and reinstall each campsite and camper belongings on a daily basis, as proposed by City staff.

In addition, a requirement that campers leave the campground and take all of their belongings with them during the day would handicap them in their pursuit of treatment, education, job search, and other tasks needed in obtaining permanent housing. For these reasons, the best practice is to assist campers in making the most efficient use of their time in improving their skills, health, education, income, and general functioning to transition to independent living.

If the recommendation for a downtown day center comes to fruition, camper property should continue to be kept at the campground during the day, including reasonable security and camper access.

Rules and Sanctions

In order to assure maximum protection of campers and the public, the City’s homeless campground should be designated a non-public space under the direction of a City department or non-profit organization with full powers of management.  These should include the power to enforce rules, control access, and exercise other authority normally available to campground management.  Most problems and police calls at the existing campground have involved a small number of individuals who have been unable or unwilling to comply with basic rules necessary for the security and functioning of an organized campground and the well-being of its campers.

The following is a sample of rules adopted by campers at the existing campground.

Basic Rules:

1.  All persons who are willing and able to comply with these rules are welcome as residents.

2.  All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

3.  Use or transfer of alcohol or non-prescription drugs by residents is not permitted in the campground or in the vicinity of the campground.

4.  Violence, threats, and the display of weapons by residents are not permitted in the campground or in the vicinity of the campground.

5.  Theft or unauthorized use or destruction of property by residents is not permitted in the campground or in the vicinity of the campground.

6.  Camping must be in designated areas, and all campsites must be kept in a clean, compact, attractive, and sanitary condition.

7.  All residents will cooperatively maintain common areas litter-free and assist with other campground tasks.

8.   All paths and roadways must be kept clear.

9.   Pets must be on a leash and residents must clean up after their pets.

10.  Be respectful to all persons in the campground and in the vicinity of the campground.

11.  Keep music and other sound volume to a minimum.

12.  Campers who are absent for five or more consecutive days without making arrangements with camp officials will be presumed to have abandoned any property left behind.  Three days’ notice will then be given to the camper’s contact number, after which the property will be removed from the camp.

Additional Rules:

1.  All visitors must report at the gate and be escorted while in the camp.

2.  No person may enter the tent of another person unless accompanied by the resident or having written authorization to do so.

3.  All tents are subject to periodic inspection by camp officials for sanitation and rule compliance upon 24 hours notice to the camper.

4.  No open flames are permitted in camping spaces.

12-23-16