Opposition to homeless encampments such as Tent City 4, which will make its return to Kirkland’s Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in August, is good and bad for the organization. Residents concerned about a transient population coming into their neighborhood has been splashed on the front pages of newspapers and the nightly news. The press coverage can be viewed as negative towards such events, with some citizens going so far as to threatening lawsuits to keep the encampment out.

But the stories also bring light to a problem that continues to grow.

“When people get used to Tent City they forget homelessness,” said Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Pastor Katy McCallum Sachse. “The controversy creates awareness.”

There was very little controversy Thursday as the church hosted a community meeting to answer residents’ concerns about the encampment returning to Kirkland. Just two people showed up to ask questions that were less combative than constructive — mainly about the future of the organization and its residents.

“I like the open conversation and it gives us a chance to present ourselves,” said Jason Smith, a Tent City resident who is currently in school to become a librarian.

Most of the questions had to do with why the Tent City 4 residents prefer the encampment to a shelter. Ten current Tent City 4 residents, which is currently in Redmond, were in attendance and said the biggest difference is that in Tent City the residents have a place to leave belongings, receive phone calls from prospective employers and feel more secure.

“In its history there has not been a significant problem with Tent City residents,” said current Kirkland City Council and Holy Spirit Lutheran Church member Mary-Alyce Burliegh. “They are working hard to gather money and get back on their feet.”

In a shelter, individuals are allowed to take a bed for a night and then have to leave with everything they own. Since shelters also do not allow the homeless to stay during the day, people who work graveyard shifts cannot utilize the service.

“It is a nice positive community where people are clean, sober, productive and supportive,” Smith said of Tent City. “And there is safety in numbers.”

And while Sachse was glad to see that resident’s fears over the encampment have subsided, there was concern about apathy toward homelessness.

When the church hosted the meeting for the first Tent City between 50-70 people showed up to voice their opposition, ask questions and take part in a discussion.

“It is a testament to how well it went last time,” said Sachse. “I think their concerns last time were more about the unknown.”

The reaction from the community the second time around has been completely different than two years ago. Church members, including Burleigh, traced their steps from two years ago as they knocked on doors in the neighborhood to let people know about the encampment’s return. The response was completely different.

“We got a note from one of the condo people asking how they could help,” said Burleigh. “This time the response was more that this is what church is about.”

The initial vote in the congregation to allow Tent City to return was also different.

“There was overwhelming support this time around, about 98 percent were in favor,” said Sachse.

While the Tent City encampment has worked to get people off the street by giving them a safe place to live and sleep, the issue of homelessness has gotten worse with the economic downturn.

“The need is not going away,” said Smith, who is studying to become a librarian. “There are even more people needing help today.”

According to The Committee to End Homelessness King County over the course of a year, it is estimated more than 24,000 people will experience an episode of homelessness in King County. The organization’s survey in 2008 counted more than 8,000 homeless in King County. Tent City 4 will have a maximum of 100 residents.

For more information on Tent City 4’s return to Kirkland, visit the City of Kirkland’s Web site.