HomeMy WebLinkAbout063026 email - EncampmentALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Hello, everyone,
Last week we experienced a near miss when a fire ignited in the wooded area adjacent to Caswell-Brown Village, presumably started by someone camping in that area. Fortunately, the fire
was contained before it caused significant damage, but it served as a stark reminder that the challenges surrounding unsheltered homelessness remain unresolved.
I am reaching out because I believe it is time for our community to reconvene around this issue. Following the closure of the large encampment in November 2025, the underlying problem
did not disappear. People simply dispersed throughout the community and continue to do the best they can to survive, often in locations that present safety concerns for themselves,
neighboring residents, service providers, and the broader community.
To my colleagues with the City, I recognize this may not be a conversation anyone is eager to revisit, and I appreciate the difficult circumstances and competing priorities involved.
My intent is not to revisit past decisions, but to focus on where we go from here.
I would like to invite this group, along with any other stakeholders who should be included, to participate in a focused discussion about unsheltered encampments in Jefferson County,
particularly within Port Townsend. My hope is that we can move beyond reacting to individual incidents and instead develop a coordinated, community-wide approach that balances public
safety, human dignity, available resources, and realistic solutions.
I know I do not have everyone's contact information, so if there are individuals or organizations that should be part of this conversation, please feel free to forward this invitation
or let me know who else should be included.
I am happy to host the initial meeting at OlyCAP or another location that works for the group. Please let me know if you are willing to participate, and I will coordinate a date and
time.
Thank you all for the work you do for our community. I believe we have an opportunity to work together toward a more coordinated and compassionate response.
In the spirit of community,
Holly
<https://olycap.org/>
Holly Morgan
Executive Director
Administration | Olympic Community Action Partnership
☎ Direct: 425-551-7636 ext 6444 Main: (360) 385-2571
✉ hmorgan@olycap.org
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