Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect a hearing set for 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, which will determine whether or not a temporary restraining order will be filed.
PORT TOWNSEND — A Jefferson County Superior Court judge may place a temporary restraining order on the city of Port Townsend, preventing any staff, officers or contractors from closing a homeless encampment located near the city’s Evans Vista property.
A preliminary injunction hearing has been set for 1 p.m. Friday at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St.
Judge Brandon Mack signed an order to show cause last Thursday. The potential restraining order would remain in effect for 14 days from the date of issuance, unless extended by the court or replaced with a preliminary injunction.
Referred to in court documents as the Evans Vista Encampment, the encampment is located behind the Department of Social and Health Services building and is often referred to as the DSHS Encampment.
In an order to show cause, which would order the city of Port Townsend to provide a reason that the court should not issue the injunction, the court noted that the plaintiff, Michelle Goodwin, is likely to succeed in her motion.
“There is a substantial likelihood that the plaintiff will prevail on the merits of the claims that the City’s planned action violates (Port Townsend Municipal Code) 17.62, the City’s obligations under (House Bill) 1220, and the due process protections guaranteed by Article 1, section 3 of the Washington Constitution,” Mack wrote in court documents.
Goodwin, a Port Townsend resident, lives in the encampment and filed the injunction to pause the city’s planned removal on Nov. 3 until a suitable alternative is available.
“I am not asking the Court to stop the City permanently — only to pause the sweep until another site or housing is available for everyone currently living at Evans Vista,” Goodwin said in a declaration submitted to the court.
In the declaration supporting the restraining order, Goodwin said she has lived in the encampment since June 2024. About 30 people live there currently, mostly in tents and small temporary shelters, she said.
The city of Port Townsend has allowed the encampment residents to live in the shelter and provided sanitary services, including temporary toilets and solid waste removal, Goodwin said.
Goodwin stated that while service providers are working to find an alternate location by Nov. 3, no such location will be available on that timeline.
Goodwin said following through with the sweep would lead to irreparable harm.
“I believe allowing us to stay until (an alternative site or housing has been secured) will not harm the City and will protect the health, safety, and dignity of the residents while service providers complete the transition process,” Goodwin’s declaration said.
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Reporter Elijah Sussman can be reached by email at elijah.sussman@peninsuladailynews.com.
