A new city has taken root in Ballard with their own elected officials, laws, housing regulations and a group of citizens looking to better their lives.

Tent City 3, a homeless encampment moved to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church's parking lot and will stay during the months of March and April.

There are 90 residents, both men and women, in this current version of Tent City. The residents are glad to be pitching their tents on concrete. The last site in Tukwila was on a muddy field.

A five-member committee that is voted in by the residents, runs the camp according to a set of rules that everyone is expected to abide by. The rules are rigid to keep the camp running without problems.

"We have a strict code of conduct. All and all everyone is great. They understand the rules. It's a great place. We run a tight ship and keep people involved in the community," said a man named Steve, who has lived in Tent City since October.

"We don't allow alcohol. We know who is coming in and out of camp," said Duncan Stencil, one of the married residents living here with wife Vicki.

The Stencil couple has lived at the camp for the last six months. They came to Seattle from Reno.

In 1999, Duncan Stencil was in a motorcycle accident and his first wife "died in his arms." He moved to Seattle and got a job at Boeing. When his mother died, he said he "snapped," eventually ending up homeless.

He has applied for a job with the Washington State Ferry System and is on a waiting list for a summer job.

Stencil and the other residents seem to get along, coping with their situation.

"We don't turn anyone away. No one needs to sleep out in the cold," said Stencil.

Last Tuesday, Dave Ploquin was taking a six-hour shift in the camp's front office, where he screened everyone entering the camp. Visitors must check in and residents sign in and out. Residents are given bus tickets to look for jobs.

Ploquin has lived at Tent City 3 for over three months. "We are self run. We all contribute. There are a lot of good people," he said.

"We squeeze everyone in. We govern ourselves. If you have any questions, come see us. It's team work, we all work together," said Ploquin.

The camp has one electricity line. They use it run a light in the office tent, power a microwave and operate a television and video cassette recorder in an entertainment tent.

Unlike staying in a shelter, Stencil and his wife can live together. Their tent has a large bed and shelves for their clothing and other belongings. They can sit outside their tent on stools and plan to add some potted flowers to brighten up their home.

Some residents have individual tents. Others sleep communally in an old army surgical tent. One tent is for single women. "Bachelor's row" is for single men.

"The people make this place extraordinary. A lot of these people are like family. You learn compassion and trust," said Stencil.

Vicki used to volunteer her time in Reno, working with homeless people in a feeding program. "It's different being on this side of it." The big difference is she lives in a tent, rather than a house like she did in Nevada.

"It has been wonderful. It is safe, I would not be here if it was bad. It's a city within a city," said Vicki.

Jason Roan was only in his fourth day at Tent City 3. A drug addiction caused his homelessness.

"I had no where to go. I am off drugs now. It's a great environment to be drug free," he said.

Roan is working with a family member, learning how to be a plumber.

"I can use this as a stepping stone to get my life back."

Before, Roan said no one cared about him. Living at Tent City 3 has given him a new outlook on life.

Each resident must volunteer time on a 24-hour a day security patrol. They walk a two-block perimeter around the camp and onto neighboring streets, picking up litter as they go and calling 911 if they see suspicious activity.

"Just because we are here in Tent City 3 does not mean we don't look out for the neighborhood," said Vicki.

During this reporter's visit to the camp, one woman dropped off a donation of clothing.

Then came Ellie Lang, a Ballard resident who donated $20 cash.

"I am just thrilled to have them in the neighborhood and to help them out," she said.

Lang was involved in the first Tent City when it moved to Trinity United Methodist Church in 2001. She loves the Tent City concept because it helps people get on their feet. "This makes people aware, they are not out here by choice," Lang said.

Ploquin said the tenants here are not "homeless," they are "houseless."

Before living in Reno, Stencil lived in Shreveport, La. Since coming to Seattle, he has been impressed with the city's natural beauty. "I think if any city can be free of homelessness, Seattle can," Stencil said.

Dean Wong may be reached at 783.1244 or deanw@robinsonnews.com