The Yakima City Council will continue its discussion on the issue of homelessness during a study session on Monday, August 14th at 10:00 am in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 129 North 2nd Street.
The discussion is the result of an update on Camp Hope the Council received during its July 18th business meeting. The camp is a temporary homeless shelter located on City-owned property near the wastewater treatment plant. The City is leasing one acre to Transform Yakima Together, a non-profit that is coordinating the operation of Camp Hope.
During the update, Transform Yakima Together Director Andy Ferguson noted the camp had served 240 individuals and more than 12,000 meals since it opened in March. The camp is scheduled to close November 15th. Winter homeless shelters elsewhere in the city will begin opening on that same date.
Ferguson asked the Council to consider making Camp Hope a long-term option.
“We’d like to do something that’s a more permanent solution,” he said during the July 18th presentation. “Camp Hope has shown itself to be a very positive thing and a very good location.”
The Council’s discussion during its August 14th study session will include information from City staff on zoning and the costs of having sewer and water lines connected to the camp.
The August 14th Yakima City Council study session will be aired live on Y-PAC, Charter Cable channel 194, and will be live streamed on the City’s website.
Yakima City Council to Continue Discussion of Homeless Issue – News Release