Anitra/humanitarianism

An introduction to Elaine Simons, "house mother" of the homeless youth group Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets.

Florida has had a successfully-running tent city for two years, with warm support from city government in St. Petersburg. The article mentions Seattle's opposite attitude toward tent cities, citing Nickelsville's experience; does not mention that, in spite of initial opposition from officials, Seattle's movable tent city TCIII has been operating successfully for nine years.

From the Real Change blog: a first-hand account of the Nickelsville move, from Cydney Gillis.

The 50 or so Nickelodeons had a final meeting last night before going to bed. Their decision--to move in the early hours this morning instead of last night in the dark, when people would be tired and could hurt themselves.

When they got up this morning at 3:30, they struck their tents and had another meeting, this time calling for men with strong backs to step forward and be the first to caravan in cars to Nickelsville's new, top-secret site--which turned out to be right back where they started last September, this time on the state-owned portion of the grassy lot at Highland Park Way and Second Avenue Southwest, where they are hoping the governor lets them stay permanently this time.

Photo of Nickelsville at new site. From the page: "The shelter is again on land enclosed by West Marginal Way Southwest, Highland Park Way Southwest, and 2nd Avenue Southwest. This time, however, Nickelsville sits on state land, an adjacent parcel to the city land it occupied Sept. 23 to 26 of last year. Residents and organizers said because they are on state land they are hoping Gov. Chris Gregoire will trump the mayor and let them stay."

Nickelsville, a homeless encampment in Seattle with ambitions to be an eco-village of handbuilt shacks, has moved to what the residents hope will be their permanent location. The state land they occupy now is right beside the city land they were arrested on last September. At that time, Governor Chris Gregoire tried to negotiate with the city to let the campers stay. Nickelodeons are hoping that she will let them stay now, now that she, and not Mayor Nickels, has the authority. (Photo is from an intervening stay in the University District.)

Learn more about the longest-running tent city in the United States.