Tent City 3 at UUC

Seattle's organized tent encampments sponsored by SHARE/WHEEL provide a safe place for those experiencing homelessness as they look for more permanent housing. Families and individuals come together to create a self-organized and democratic community. Tent City 3 (TC3) began operating in 2000, with churches and universities typically hosting this portable community for 3-month stays. They have long been sanctioned by the City of Seattle. In fact, in 2024, TC3 was able to stay for a full year on city owned land, and they are hoping to locate other opportunities for similarly long stays. They will stay with us for four months this time, in order to reduce the burden of frequent moves slightly.

An Executive Committee of five elected members provides leadership and residents attend weekly meetings to review camp activities, issues and plans. UUC’s Tent City 3 Team will work closely with the Executive Committee to provide a safe space for the residents of the camp while maintaining the safety of the neighborhood.

Read a letter here from SHARE/WHEEL about Tent City 3.  Information about the Tent City 3 community can also be found at https://www.sharewheel.org/tent-city-3. You may contact the SHARE/WHEEL office directly, with any questions or feedback, at 206-956-0334 or 206-448-7889 or by email at TC3@sharewheel.org.

Engaging with those who are homeless and in need of housing has factored into the life of University Unitarian Church for the past 60+ years. Our church has a long tradition of social justice work, including direct service.  In that tradition we successfully hosted Tent City 3 for three months in 2023, cultivating hope and taking a small step to address Seattle’s seemingly intractable homelessness crisis in our community. Recenty the homelessness crisis has only gotten worse, and TC3 is seeing, and hosting, more families with children, including newborns, and pregnant women, as well as increasing numbers of older women. We continue to work toward a world where the inherent worth of all is affirmed, and all can live with dignity and safety.

Tent City 3 has a maximum capacity of about 100. The camp is currently operating at that level and demand exceeds capacity. Most residents have been single adults and couples living in individual tents, but recently TC3 is seeing more families with children, including newborns, and pregnant women, as well as increasing numbers of older women. Some residents have pets, mainly dogs. The camp also has a kitchen tent, a donation tent, a warming tent (with a TV), and the welcome tent at the entrance. The city funds portable toilets and hand washing stations.  Even with these costs to the city, plus the assistance the city provides for moving the camp, Tent City 3 remains the most cost-efficient form of city-funded shelter within the city’s shelter network.

For other needs, residents must rely on facilities such Aurora Commons (laundry facilities, meals and bathroom about 3.5 miles from UUC) and Elizabeth Gregory Day Center (showers and laundry for women less than 2 miles from UUC), or the more distant city funded  Hygiene shower trailers in South Seattle or the Seattle Center area.

TC3 is resident-run, with all residents participating in the daily life of the camp. The TC3 community elects leaders from among the residents, and SHARE/WHEEL staff provide support. The community operates with a strict Code of Conduct which requires sobriety, nonviolence, cooperation and participation. Those not respecting the Code of Conduct must leave the community.

Tent City 3 is welcomed by so many congregations—as well as the UW, Seattle University and Seattle Pacific University—based on their good reputation. They have long been sanctioned by the City of Seattle. If they were not good neighbors, they would not be allowed to continue as a program.

UUC can provide a safe space for the residents of the camp while maintaining the safety of the neighborhood. After the UW hosted TC3 in 2017, an evaluation showed that the presence of the TC3 community had a positive impact on feelings of community safety.

When UUC last hosted TC3 neighborhood crime did not increase, according to SPD statistics.

At the end of July 2025 TC3 moved to a new location, on King County Wastewater Division land near the Mount Baker light rail station.

Yes! SHARE/WHEEL, which sponsors TC3, always needs financial support.  To give directly to TC3, check their donation list here. 

We encourage you to contact the UUC TC3 team at uuchomelessness@gmail.com so the neighborhood can share some opportunities to get involved. Neighbors can bake muffins or cookies, share some non-perishable groceries, or prepare an evening meal.