They have strict rules about behavior

I was quite disturbed after reading your story on the city of Monroe’s proposed regulations for homeless encampments. My family moved to Monroe from Kirkland over a year ago. We attended the Kirkland Congregational Church, UCC. It was the first church in Kirkland to host Tent City 4. The city officials of Kirkland were very supportive of our endeavor.

Tent City 4 has really strict rules about the behavior of its residents. It was an enriching experience for our church family to host them. One of the most powerful things that happened at our church was the daily service at noon in which our minister, the Rev. Walter John Boris, read the names and stories of homeless people who had died on the streets because they had no shelter or protection.

I agree completely with the letter from the Rev. Tom Sorenson on Sunday’s Opinion page. Cities that have tried to deny churches the ability to host tent cities have lost in our courts of law. And they have spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars in their misguided efforts. Federal law upholds a church’s right to help the homeless. And Christ’s teachings obligate us to help the homeless.

Diane Wilson

Monroe