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Kitsap County drafts temporary homeless camp ordinance

Published  February 12, 2016 7:11am PST
Associated Press

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. (AP) — Kitsap County officials are drafting an emergency ordinance to help house homeless people in the area.

The Kitsap Sun reports that if approved by county commissioners, the ordinance would allow homeless camps on religious and nonprofit property for six months.

While the temporary ordinance was in place, officials say they would work on a permanent ordinance.

Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island have permanent ordinances for these types of homeless camps.

The emergency action comes as the county's homeless population has spiked 30 percent in the past year, growing to about 650 people from 500.

A public hearing on the emergency ordinance is slated for Feb. 22.