Seattle’s Camp Second Chance gets a second chance

Camp Second Chance broke onto vacant city land in 2016 to establish an unauthorized homeless encampment. But neighbors supported the camp. And its residents came to rely upon its stability — a sober, drug-free zone. Now it seems the camp has permission to stay.

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“The city contract will allow us to improve camp services, and also expand the number of camp residents from 25 to 60,” said Polly Trout, founder and director of Patacara. “Our primary goals are to provide a safe, healthy, supportive community for people experiencing the trauma of homelessness and to move people as quickly as possible into suitable indoor housing.”

Camp Second Chance

Patacara is the non-profit that manages the camp at 9701 Myers Way South. Trout made headlines when she broke the lock of the gate leading onto the city land — an action she fully admits. That was in August 2016.

Since then, city contractors came once with notices that the camp would be removed. But that never happened. The camp has remained on the plot of land through the winter. And now it will stay, thanks to a contract with the city.

The contract between Patacara and the City of Seattle will provide the camp a range of services it previously did not have — garbage, water, city, case management, and client assistance. But to make good on its end of the contract, Patacara has to raise $30,000 in seed money by March 1. That’s because the contract is on a reimbursement basis. Private donors have given $14,000 to the camp so far.

“Patacara has built a strong program at Camp Second Chance,” said George Scarola, Seattle’s Director of Homelessness. “I’m looking forward to working closely with Patacara to help more people experiencing homelessness secure stable housing.”

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