A Community Confronting Reality:

A Proposal for Community Managed Transitional Living

Draft Proposal Submitted by ABQJustice March 2015

Tent City 1st & Iron

Abstract: This is a draft proposal exploring how Community Organizations might be able to contribute to more sustainable iterations of the ad-hoc tent settlements springing up, not just in Albuquerque, but across our State and our Nation. This draft proposal has been compiled to facilitate dialogue and encourage input from various community sources and organizations that may wish to participate. It is a reality that organizations are limited in their resources, but if the structure is in place, roles are defined, and models are developed, it is far more likely that organizations and or groups will participate. Each organization can then sponsor individual Communities as their resources allow. ABQJustice has been on the ground working with residents to more fully understand how and why Tent Cities arise. Having spent time on the ground within existing camps and researching existing precedent, we believe that sustainable Transitional Communities are viable when sponsored by established outreach organiza-tions. Across the Nation and within our own City, these settlements are growing and becoming more common. Simply ignoring this reality does not make the need or the reality go away. A Seattle City Council member put it this way: These folks still exist. They will be sleeping somewhere. Seattle Mayor Murray added: Permitted encampments are not, in my view, a long-term strategy to end homelessness. But planned, organized en-campments have less of an impact on our neighborhoods and they provide a safer environment than we see when people sleep on our streets. It is time that Albuquerque deals with this crisis. Inaction simply allows the Citys crisis to spill over onto and into neighborhoods and drives the cost skyward as people continually fall prey to all the effects created by lack of place. This is not acceptable to anyone. Working together, we can es-tablish a new paradigm and set precedent in such a way that these communities are self-sustaining and in harmony with their surrounding areas. We can create a response to be proud of. Failure to do so implies that randomness and chaos are preferred as our capability for improvement is not in question. Our will is what is in question. Please submit thoughts, ideas, concerns, etc., to abqjustice@yahoo.com.

Tent City 1st & Iron

PART 1: Overview of Tent Cities

Clear and Visible NeedAdvantages of Addressing the ConditionPrecedentFundingOrganizational Models: Overview

Requisite to Dialogue:

PART 2: Immediate Need: A Specific Proposal

Land Use Criteria Compensation for Use of Land

Community Developed Standard of Behavior

Basis for Proposal

Community Security and APDVillage Infrastructure

Village Council

Summary of Proposal

Service Provider Partners

Village Schematic

Stepping Up

Appendix

Non- Judgmental recognition that some people will simply not utilize existing support structures. The reasons for this are many and in-clude not only addiction and or behavioral issues, but just as often people avoid the shelters and missions for other, more practical rea-sons. A sense of personal freedom being high on the list. The myriad of reasons is complex and they are subject to argument on either side. However, as Seattle alongside Utah and countless other municipalities are recognizing, no matter how the argument is presented, these people still exist, the need is still very present. The cost of ignoring them is simply too high to bear. For example, the options currently being offered former residents of the 1st St. Tent City are costly and completely without meaning or anything pur-poseful with regard to the actual people. No one beyond the City Administration would dare argue otherwise. We have conducted surveys with the Residents staying in the motels that verify this statement. That data can be found in the appendix.

Requisite to Dialogue:

Clear and Visible Need:

Shelter life is transient and not equipped to offer a sense of permanent security and thus unable to effectively help people reconnect with the day to day of life.

Shelters are not able to accommodate couples..

Shelters are unable to accommodate pets.

Shelters sometimes insist that people leave at impractical hours.

Many do not feel safe within the shelters .Shelter life is unable to accommodate the spatial needs often associ-ated with Veterans and others suffering from PTSD and other stress induced psychosis.

Shelters offer a limited form of comfort, and are simply not designed to support the long-term lifestyle transition required for a person to move from chronic homelessness back to stability.

Albuquerque Headed Home

Shelters generally will not accommodate people with addictions.

Shelters have little option for keeping personal items. Objects have meaning for all of us and are important to our identity history, and personal comfort.

Shelters often insist on specific religious participation.

Advantages of maintaining a self-funded, self-governing community:

Provides people who either choose to not take advantage of exist-ing support or who are unable to do so with a safe, clean environ-ment in which to survive.

Prevents individual neighborhoods from carrying our Citys collec-tive struggles. Acknowledges this is not a condition limited to one neighborhood, but rather a condition that affects all residents or our City: housed and non-housed.

Provides residents within the alternative transitional village with a sense of place, a sense of family and community and collective responsibility. This has been well studied and verified by commu-nity groups working on the ground.

Allows for longer term stability than many existing structures do. In turn, this allows residents and service providers the ability to fol-low through on many practical concerns such as IDs, work-visas, psychiatric care, health care, resume building and job searches.

Long term stability, even in a camp environment, provides for the ability of the residents to maintain hygiene standards of both body and mind as it allows them a way to keep their belongings safe while they go about the day to day business of living. Not having this ability is a larger contributing factor than many realize. Especially in the psychological realm.

A lack of stability exacerbates minor health issues and increases them exponentially, putting great strain on our critically under-funded and highly challenged mental heath services costing society much more than necessary. Stability is an important component for all of us. The non-housed suffer from chronic sleep deprivation and this contributes to mental health disorders and breakdowns for people that could otherwise manage their condition.

In addition, having a place to keep possessions safe would relieve the community of the need to repeatedly provide the same resource, whether clothing, blankets, or personal care items. Loss contrib-utes greatly to the need for donations. A place to shower, brush teeth and do laundry is vital. We dont have to provide 20 blankets a year to a single person if they have a way of keeping up with it. That logic trickles to almost everything else as well.

Creating a self-funding community gives residents a much needed sense of contribution and self-dignity. Sometimes helping is simply creating the structure for success and then getting out of the way. There is a strong desire to make their own way, even if it may look different. An old saying can be applied here: Give me a lever and solid ground and I can move the world. This sentiment is not unknown among those without a home. Often times, they just need some solid ground to stand upon.

Consolidates at least in part, the distribution networks for the many outreach groups working with the non-housed. As a brief anecdote, we are currently working with a few folks to obtain their work visas. We lost contact with them during the latest eviction at Camp Faith and weeks of work are lost. This is very common.

Being pro-active will ensure the community has a say in how these living villages develop.

Self-sustaining Alternative Transitional Communities offer a sense of structure and make demands of the residents not uncommon to those they will face upon returning to housing. In this manner, these communities actively contribute to success rates simply by demanding some level of assimilation and allowing the residents space to practice the requirements of functioning in society.

Provides for the possibility for improved nutrition. Poor nutrition, lack of fruit and vegetables, etc., has grave long-term health conse-quences for individuals and severely impacts the cost to taxpayers while impacting public health and health-care facilities. Prevention is the best cure.

Precedent:

Abundant historical precedent exists for the suggestions within this proposal. Those resources are included in the appendix. Shared contributing factors to success include: (1) sponsorship of the community by established advocacy groups, (2) A recognition of the need for Community Developed Standards of Behavior within the Village (3) buy-in from local organizations providing support services, (4) reasonable proximity to existing services via multi-modal or bus routes, (5) development of self-regulating, democratic communal governments within the Community.

Funding:

It is paramount that these alternative settlements eventually be self-funded. It is no large burden for each tent site to generate 3 dollars per day. This monetary assessment is not random. It is what is considered by residents themselves to be market value as demonstrated by their willingness to charge each other this amount. A community of (20) twenty sites would self-generate 1800 dollars per month (20 sites x 3 dollars day x 30 days) with no monetary input from government entities or the sponsoring organization. This money could be used pay a modest rent to either the City, a private landowner or a Church and additionally cover sanitation and refuse costs. As communities become established and self-sustaining they can and will become more creative in their fund-raising efforts. This will allow them to make choices about development and improvements to their camp.

Secular Organizational Model: General Overview

Limit number of Residents when necessary to camp overall successTemporary Designation granted on annual basis/subject to revocation

Suitable sites shall exhibit reasonable protection from NIMBY arguments and should be located within a reasonable distance from support services and transportation needs.

Formal Permit Process

Sponsorship by Established, Community Organization

24/7 Resident Provided Security New residents on first come, first serve basis

Residents will develop the structure of their Democratic Self-Government

Residents must agree to abide by Community Standard of Behavior (enforced by community)

Residents must participate in upkeep and operation of the community

Organizational Model Churches: General Overview

Similar to Private Organization / could be developed on a 90 day rotating basisAllow for many Religious Organizations to participate without becoming over extendedWould allow room for organizational specific concerns such as congregational interaction, etc., within the Community Developed Standard of Behavior.

Church designation allows more legal wiggle room than private sector does under the Freedom of Religion Act.

Faith Village image by bmp

PART II

Immediate Need:

A Specific Proposal Moving Towards Betterby

ABQJustice

Tent City 1st & Iron

ABQJustice is a grass roots advocacy and direct action group that organizes arund socail justic issues such as poverty, homelessness and po-lice brutality in Albququerque and surrounding areas. Many of our members have spent considerable amounts of time on the ground with the current group of residents that had been living along 1st and Iron prior to eviction. We have been studying and proposing concepts for Alternative Living Communities alongside the residents them-selves. We have conducted this hands-on investigation of housing needs within Tent City to better facilitate our understanding regarding why these camps keep popping up and why they will continue to do so. Furthermore, we have spent enough time on the ground, including camping ourselves, to begin to fully appreciate the goings-on that take place. We acknowledge the concerns of law enforcement and clearly see that these communi-ties can devolve into chaos. We believe that direct community involvement, input from APD liaison officers, and the clear expectation that criminal activity will not be tolerated will go a great distance overcoming these types of issues. Many, if not most of the residents, are desirous of safety and peace and quiet and express this time and time again. We believe that these Communities will need sponsorship from outside advocacy groups in order for them to be successful. Precedent study undertaken by ABQJustice echoes this belief. It is a common element found in the successful camps. It matter not which group sponsors the Com-munities, or if theyre religious or secular. It just matters that they are prepared and equipped to facilitate the Communitys success. We base our proposal on our belief that our organization is in a unique position to help launch a true innovate response to a clearly visible need. We have recently demonstrated that we are able to support Alternative Living Residents independently and in cooperation with existing and established support pro-grams and service providers and while we did not arrange for the unfortunate move of the residents onto the former A&P in Barelas, we did provide support to the Residents. Members worked to connect Residents with services being offered, acted as liaison with APD, worked to help secure work visas vis a vie El Centro, helped others with ID and paperwork issues and even got a few bus tickets for folks who had family or jobs elsewhere. In addition, ABQJustice members and supportive community members maintained a presence at the camp almost continuously. Of most importance, ABQJustice members simply supported the Residents in their attempt to survive. In doing so, the Residents responded and the second attempt at the A&P Site presented a much different public image as evidenced by the many photographs and the spotless nature of the site when we were finally forced off of it. It was ABQJustice working in conjunction with the Residents, that facilitated all the ground work, including the vehicle barriers, the procurement of the porta-potty and the refuse hauling. We stand ready to be offered the opportunity to better the current condition. We fully understand that everyone is cautious about promoting these communities and all of the unforeseen liabilities and the many things that could go wrong. As such, we ask only for a bit of City controlled land and 180 days. No direct funding is being requested at this time. Furthermore, we will participate in a 90 day review and assessment to be

Basis for Proposal:

conducted by participating councilors and their appointed staff, APD liaison officers (not command staff), the residents, the surrounding community should any exist and ourselves. Concerns will be documented and the camp will work towards resolution. We can have an escape clause at 90 days should there be egregious violations of this proposal. After the 180 day evaluation we will continue to seek 180 day intervals of operation should we see a viable community emerging with yearly contracts being a latter goal.

Tent City 1st & Iron Faith Village

Land Use Criteria:

Should be publicly owned land or land the where City agrees beforehand to not affect any harassment whatsoever.

Needs to be within a reasonable proximity to transportation services and existing service providers. Should avoid the NIMBY arguments by being in a non-obtrusive area. Needs to be free of vehicular through traffic

Diagrams presented in this report are based on a lot size of 100 x 200. However, any available land should be considered as spatial restrictions may be overcome with creative thinking and strategic planning.

Compensation for Land Use:

Depending on number of Residents, the Village could entertain paying reasonable rent for use of the land. A capacity of between 20 - 40 Residents could potentially afford a range of $800.00 - $1400 monthly. This rate is similar to the rents available for contractor yards - a use not dissimilar in that they both provide little more than dirt. If rent is to be paid to the City, the City shall provide waste receptacles at the residential rate currently charged.

Community Security & APD:

Residents will be encouraged, but not required, to sign in and out of the camp. Guest are required to do so except during community wide gather-ings, dinners or other socials.

As a rule, only camp residents shall be allowed on the site 24/7. A reasonable level of guest during daylight hours will be tolerated unless these visitors become problematic. It is hoped that shared, communal responsibility will prevail. If not, the visitation policy may be amended.

The residents will provide 24/7 security for the Community. A camp siren shall be installed so that the security watch can call upon the camp should there be need.

The sponsoring organization, in this case, ABQJustice shall identify systemic criminal activity should it ever arise and organize to remove it from within the camp immediately.

Only APD officers known as field liaisons within the Community will be allowed access without cause. It is hoped that the field officers from the area command nominate those officers they feel best suited to this type of policing. Other instances where APD presence be required shall follow typical protocols where private residences are concerned.

Basic Village Infrastructure: (to be provided by Sponsoring Organization where possible):

Port a-PottiesGarbage collection and disposal to include bio hazard and recyclables. Lot Area suitable for 20 - 40 tentsArea to collect, sort and house donated itemssafety from vehicular trafficArea to collect, sort and house donated itemssome means of actively monitoring site access, namely appropriate fencing, or perhaps other, more creative boundariesFire Sprinkler Stations and egress paths that satisfy the conditions set forth by the Fire Department

This list represents the bare-bones necessities. It is a Stage 1 response to an existing crisis and is focused around managing safety and sanitation concerns as well as protecting basic human dignity.

Basic Village Infrastructure: (cont)

Moving beyond the bare-bones, we can look to the many positive examples found in Tent Cities across our Nation. The items below represent what should be considered basic, if not immediate needs and can be added to Village as soon as possible. While the Village model should not be con-sidered a permanent solution, we should take every advantage to ensure the Residents are well encouraged and inane obstacles are removed.

Gravity feed hand washing station with grey water stored and pumped

Community Mercantile Tent for sorting and storing donated items and camp supplies.

Community Food Prep / Food Storage / Mess tent

Message board to improve communication with Residents and supporting services

Community Tables / Seating / Development of Social Squares where the housed and non-housed may share community over food, entertainment, exhibits or similar

Bicycle rack / community use bicycles

Other as determined by the local Community Residents

Community Solar Power Trailer with small generator and a self contained battery bank

Village Schematic Basic:

Moving beyond the bare-bones, we can look to the many positive examples found in Tent Cities across our Nation. These things represent what should be considered basic, if not immediate needs and can be added to Village as soon as possible. While the Village model should not be consid-ered a permanent solution, we should take every advantage to ensure the Residents are well encouraged and inane obstacles are removed.

Refuse / Recycle

Port a Potty / Hand Wash Station

Community Mercantile

Social Square

Community Mercantile

Site Parking / Access

8 x 12 sites

Security shack / bike center / message board

Standards of Behavior: (developed in conjunction with Village Residents)

There will be no criminal activity tolerated on the site. The Residents will enforce this themselves and the sponsoring organization will step in and request. Drug trafficking will not be tolerated on the site nor within 300 yards by any resident.

All residents will work with one another to de-escalate problem situations rather than enticing them

Weapons and or fighting will not be tolerated

Residents must comment to non-violent resolution and make use of the communal government to settle disagreements.

Residents must be sober the majority of their time in camp

Residents acknowledge and accept that their ability to remain on the site is a collective responsibility and transgressions, whether by individual or the group, will affect the Communitys viability.

Residents will work at least 10 hours a week on the camp. Either maintaining the camp or working to procure provisions according to camp needs. amp needs

All residents are expected to take security shifts without exception

Camp residents commit to maintaining the camp in accordance with health and sanitation standards as prescribed by the Red Cross

Other as determined by Village Residents

Quiet time from 10pm to 8am will be enforced.

Residents will not put anything in the Porta-Potty besides the 3 Ps. Poop, Pee + ToiletPaper

Residents will maintain a reasonably tidy environment and will make use of appropriate refuse containers including bio-hazard containers as well as recycling bins. In addition and as part of a good neighbor policy, Residents will commit some community time towards keeping our neighbor-ing area clear of litter and weeds

Loitering in surrounding neighborhood will not be tolerated.

Village Council: Beyond the Utilitarian

Providing the basic infrastructure for the Village is a fairly straightforward endeavor. Establishing the governing structure of the Village will likely prove to be a larger challenge than infrastructure. However, it is paramount to success that a fair, well communicated and understand structure be in place as residents arrive. It is equally important that the Residents take interest and pride in their governing structure and the camp in general. With-out their buy-in, nothing beyond a barely managed camp site is possible. However, it is our premise and hope that fairness, equity, and some sign of hope will go a long way toward establishing the trust and pride that will ultimately determine success or failure. Though phenomenological in na-ture, these attributes are equally as important as food and shelter in many ways and should have a place at the table when we attempt to improve the condition of being without a home. ABQJustice members will facilitate this dialogue and share with the residents some of the most basic democratic structures that we ourselves organize around. We will continue to work with and advise the residents as they establish their Council Charter and Community Developed Code of Behavior for the Village until such time that the Council is functioning and has established authority.

All Residents are required to attend a weekly meeting of the Village Council

Residents shall be granted full voting rights after 45 days of continuous living within the Village

ABQJustice members shall serve as stand-ins for any Council Position until such time the office is occupied by a Village Resident (meant only to facilitate the Council in the beginning of the Village

Council and individual Residents shall have the authority to recommend removal of any Resident that continues to cause problems for the Village. 2/3 Vote is required to evict an individual

Council shall be responsible for recommending corrective actions for offenses committed while in the Village. Their recommendation shall then be put to a collective vote and decided upon by that vote. Majority rules.

Council will develop its role organically as the Village begins to define its boundaries and expectations

Non-violent, tolerant, democratic processes will be basic model. Residents shall make use of the stack model and the majority vote rule exclud-ing an expulsion of a Resident which will require 2/3 Vote

The Village Council shall be further developed/augmented by the Residents themselves.

Stepping Up:

We recognize that permanent housing is the ultimate goal. However, the needs exposed by the current crisis, cannot be ignored. These types of Villages are being proposed not as a permanent solution, but rather as a beginning. Each step up, from sleeping alone in the alley, to coming into a group environment replete with tents, to moving to more sustainable permanent micro housing represents significant progress toward the ultimate goal of permanent housing. Each step is small enough to not cause significant mental stress among those that may suffer a variety of mental health conditions. As the day to day operation of the Village sorts itself out and the Community is functioning with high levels of autonomy and without serious in-cidents, the Village should be encouraged to explore more sustainable housing options. The micro-house movement spreading across the nation provides countless, creative options for study. Micro House kits could be purchased directly for donation in whole or in part and delivered ready to assemble having first been cut to a kit at a local fabrications shop. It would then be up to the Residents, sponsoring organization, and volunteers to assemble the kit once on site. Unit size would be approximately 8x12 and units would be designed to load and unload via skyjack or similar so that the portability of the camp remains intact while also providing more permanent shelter. Amenities such as solar panels, battery storage, external lockers, light fixtures, small appliances and other electronics can be accessed through security deposit, rent or purchase as applicable. This idea to incentivize the camp and available amenities will assist the Residents in ways that are paramount to success and sorely overlooked. It acknowledges the sentiment often expressed among the non-housed: We need change, not coins.

Summary of Proposal:

What we are seeking:

Land that is suitable to such a Village (20-40 Residents). As they Village will remain portable, this can be land that is simply not being utilized or land that is awaiting development. The Village can then be moved, within a reasonable time frame, should the Land in use is to be developed or

A continuation of services currently provided by CABQ to the non-housed population at large.Willingness of CABQ and APD to work for the Villages success.

Sponsorship of the VillageEstablishment of a Village Council

ABQJustice commits to:

24/7 Resident Provided SecurityResidents shall understand the Community Developed Standard of Behavior and shall sign a letter of commitment stating such. In addition, all Village residents shall be held accountable to the Decisions of the Council and the democratic vote.

Working with APD to ensure that Residents Rights are left unmolested and that the Residents have a safe, secure environment upon which to build their future.

Tent cities are coming. In fact, they are here. As residents of this fine City, we do not have the luxury of ignoring the non-housed. They are indeed real and they are in our streets and in our neighborhoods and they do sleep. How we choose to deal with it is the only choice we have. Not dealing with it is no longer an option.

Service Providers:

Headed Home:Phone: (505) 226-1700

Health Care for the Homeless:1217 First Street NWAlbuquerque, NM 87102(505) 766-5197

appendix: