Colville homeless camp faces closure, residents concerned about limited housing options

COLVILLE, Wash. – The city of Colville is working to shut down a one-acre lot that gave people experiencing homelessness a place to camp legally.

This decision was made after the Supreme Court decided last summer that cities could legally ban people from camping and sleeping in public places.

The camp is now turning people away, including a couple expecting a baby four weeks from now.

“Technically we’re trespassing right now,” said soon-to-be parents Amber and Chris.

The couple arrived at the homeless camp two weeks ago, fighting to get back on their feet. The camp has bathrooms, running water and nearby resources like the Hope Street Rest Stop. But just as quickly as they arrived, they were asked to leave.

“We came here looking for help and we’re getting kicked out,” they said.

The same goes for anyone trying to come to the camp. Colville city officials announced as of January 1, the camp is no longer allowing new people to move onto the lot.

By April, the people living there will be removed, starting with those who have been there the longest. By October, everyone is expected to be gone.

“What are they going to do?” Amber and Chris said. “Right back behind Walmart. That’s where they were before they brought them here. That was the reason why they brought this here.”

There are resources in Colville, like a warming shelter and the Hope Street Rest Stop, which gives those in need a place to shower and get warm, but long-term housing options are extremely limited.

“What is going to happen when the camp closes?” asked Hope Street Rest Stop director Teresa Land. “I’m worried.”

Lang has been sober for 21 years. She spends her time at Hope Street to give people living on the streets access to basic services like laundry, a hot shower and warm meals.

“There’s nowhere to go. There really is nowhere to go,” Lang said. “The warming center is the only place to sleep and then wander around all day long.”

Lang said catholic charities is building 72 apartment units in the area, but the waitlist for low-income housing is extraordinarily long.

4 News Now reached out to Colville Mayor Jack Smith multiple times about the next steps of this plan and the resources the city will try to offer. We have yet to receive a response.