New village provides permanent residence for 30 homeless adults

OLYMPIA -- Thirty people who used to be homeless got an amazing gift on Christmas Eve when they moved into their permanent new homes at Camp Quixote.

It's a village for the homeless in Olympia designed to provide low-cost housing to people in need.

"This is a self-governing, self-supporting community of people, " said Tim Ransom, president of the non-profit group Panza. "To be in that environment is a major step toward getting out of the spiral of homelessness."

The village has 30 cottages, each one has heat and lights. One resident per cottage. The community building has shared amenities including a kitchen, showers and laundry facilities.

People who live in the new community say having a place to call home is a relief.

"It's nice not having to live out of a suitcase from day-to-day. It's nice to be able to lay your head down at night and know you're safe," said resident Eric Estabrooks.

Camp Quixote is the first homeless camp to be converted into permanent homes in Washington. It was founded back in 2007 after the city forced the homeless out of an Olympia parking lot.