BELLEVUE -- A roving tent city for the homeless that has

spent about a year in Seattle's Eastside suburbs may wind up in

unincorporated King County. Zoning legislation that would allow

temporary occupation by "Tent City 4" is being considered by the

King County Council.

The council will take public testimony on the issue Monday

afternoon.

Supporters concede the temporary camps aren't a permanent

solution to the county's growing homeless problem, but say they're

better than a bridge or doorstep. It's estimated that there

eight-thousand homeless people in King County on any given day.

This is the fourth version of the legislation, which seeks a

balance between protecting the rights of churches and those of

neighbors. Carolyn Edmonds of Seattle, one of the legislation's

sponsors, says the Church Council of Greater Seattle was involved

in negotiations over this version.

Also on Monday, the council may consider a one-year moratorium on

locating a tent city on county-owned land.

Tent City 4 has spent the last 90 days at Kirkland

Congregational Church near Kirkland City Hall. It has spent 90 days

each in Bothell, Woodinville and Finn Hill in Kirkland.