Outreach part of removing homeless encampment

MOSES LAKE — The removal of a homeless camp in Moses Lake was preceded by about a month of contact and outreach with its residents. 

The camp was located on private property on North Block Street. Moses Lake Police Captain Jeff Sursely said it was removed at the request of the landowners, Maiers Enterprises LLC. 

“The property owners requested we trespass people from the property,” Sursely said.  

The city has had similar cases in the past. 

“This isn’t the first time we’ve gone through this process,” he said.  

The people camped on the property were given about 30 days advance notice, he said, and organizations that help the homeless set up an extra outreach location in the parking lot of a nearby business, in addition to the services and referrals available at the Open Doors Sleep Center, about half a mile from the camp.  

Samantha Puntenney, communications manager for HopeSource, which manages the sleep center, said its staff was on site on multiple occasions over the month before the camp was removed. 

“We went in several times,” she said. 

While there have been similar cases in the past, Sursely said this case featured something new.  

“This is the first time we’ve had services,” he said.  

Advance notification provided a chance for people to take advantage of the services available to them. 

“We wanted to provide plenty of opportunity for people to receive those resources,” he said. 

Most of the camp residents had left by the Oct. 30 deadline, Sursely said, although about 15 were still on site.  

“They were all aware they had to leave,” he said. “Everybody left willingly and readily.” 

The sleep center didn’t see a big influx of people after the camp was closed, Puntenney said. To date the facility has been able to accommodate demand and hasn’t had issues with being over capacity, she said. 

The sleep center, she said. is a good first stop for people who want to know more about the services available to them.  

“The sleep center is where we direct people,” she said.  

Whether or not, or when, people take the services available to them depends on the individual and their situation, she said. The sleep center provides people with the information they need if they choose to take advantage of them. 

Nokey Pando, a recovery coach, said the sleep center is an important option for people who need overnight shelter and showers. HopeSource also is a resource for people who are looking for longer-term housing assistance options, he said.  

Puntenney said HopeSource also has information on food and clothing resources, as well as information on options for treatment of mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders.