Homeless issues likely to be atop agenda at Yakima City Council meeting

YAKIMA – By Tuesday night, Yakima residents should learn the fate of a homeless encampment operating since March on city-owned land behind the former Kmart building on East Nob Hill Boulevard.

And despite not having locked in a specific building, a short-term winter plan for the homeless will likely also come to light Tuesday.

Transform Yakima Together, the faith-based group running Camp Hope, in August asked the city to consider a long-term lease for the land that would allow construction of buildings that would be more permanent than the tents residents have been staying in.

The council is expected to vote on that lease Tuesday. The proposed agreement would last until Nov. 15, 2020, with an opportunity to renew for two more years. Residents would only allowed to stay at the camp from March 15 through Nov. 15, and all temporary structures, such as tents and portable toilets, must be removed during the winter.

Under the proposal, the city won’t require rent from Transform Yakima and it will allow the group to construct buildings and extend water and sewer to the camp with its own money.

The organization plans to start a fundraising campaign this month so it can begin construction when the camp closes in November.

According to its 2018 site plans, improvements could include up to 10 tiny homes; four dormitory buildings, instead of the four dormitory-style tents now in use; “park-like” bathrooms and showers; laundry facilities; and a day center with cooking capabilities and additional restrooms.

The camp is expected to accommodate up to 100 people.

The council is also expected to review and vote on a short-term winter plan for Yakima’s homeless.

Although funding hasn’t been formally approved, Transform Yakima will likely receive funding to operate this year’s emergency winter weather shelters.

But the Yakima City Council must approve a resolution before any shelter can operate in a building not zoned for that use. Transform Yakima officials have not yet said what building will be used for the shelter, but they’re confident one will be in place before it’s supposed to open on Nov. 15.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 129 N. Second St.