The homeless group vows to put up the tent city anyway, although they're not saying where. Some people think the city's rejection of the WTO tent city is a mistake. City Council Member Nick Licata, for example, fired off a letter last week to Mayor Shell asking him to reconsider. If a temporary WTO tent city was successful, for example, it could come to be viewed as a viable emergency measure for homelessness. It's an idea that rubs city officials the wrong way.
Homelessness is a growing problem in boomtown Seattle.
Last year's one-night count recorded 700 people sleeping out on the streets. This year, the number rose to 1,019. Homeless advocates estimate there are about 5,500 homeless persons each night in King County, while there are fewer than 3,000 shelter beds. In each instance the city tore down the encampments after a few weeks. A tent city also provides community and safety.