Residents of Camp Unity Eastside (CUE) may soon be living in something other than tents.

Today, NewHouse R&D, a company from Ann Arbor, Mich., will be arriving at the homeless encampment at Redwood Family Church (11500 Redmond-Woodinville Rd. N.E. in Redmond) to assemble their DecaDome. The DecaDome is a lightweight portable shelter with walls and a roof that can be built and taken apart in a matter of hours.

Allen Bolen, outside coordinator for CUE, said they are looking at the DecaDome as a long-term alternative to tents. He said these shelters can last longer as they can better resist the elements, which is particularly beneficial for those who are living outside long term.

“We are very excited at the possibility of finding a humane, comfortable, safe, alternative to tents,” said CUE treasurer Chris Yager in a press release. “We spend thousands of dollars a year replacing wet, moldy, torn tents and believe there must be a better option.”

NewHouse owner, Eric Lipson is equally enthusiastic.

“So far, people have really liked this model,” he said in the same release. “We are looking forward to hearing what the Camp Unity residents and the community think. That’s the whole point of this exercise. We will also assemble the unit with Camp Unity volunteers so they will learn how the buildings go up, and be able to do it themselves if we build more.”

CUE is an independent, nonprofit camp that rotates among local churches. The encampment arrived at Redwood on June 20 and will be there until Sept. 20.

Bolen said since they have been at Redwood, they have received a lot of support from the church. He said church officials have made themselves available to CUE and check in with them on a regular basis.

Todd Puckett, the senior pastor at Redwood, said things are constantly improving.

“We are thankful to have the opportunity to serve the homeless community in Jesus’s name,” he said. “Every homeless person is an individual whom God loves and we feel it is our job to be His vessels. We long to see lives transformed and for every individual to have there needs met. We all need community.”

Bolen echoed this feeling and said the Redwood community has been like a family.

“It’s really good,” he said.

Becky Range, public information officer for the Redmond Police Department, added that they have not had any major problems since the camp arrived in town in June.

“The police department has not seen an increase in calls for service for criminal or suspicious activity in neighborhood areas around Redwood Family Church since they began hosting Camp Unity,” she said. “Our neighborhood resource officers have been working closely with church leadership to assist with camper issues and community problem solving. Often the issues are civil matters, but we provide assistance when possible.”

Tomorrow, CUE will be holding an open house from noon to 4 p.m. The community is invited to attend, tour the camp, share refreshments, meet the neighbors and check out and critique the DecaDome.

Bolen said the open house will give their neighbors the opportunity to meet CUE residents and learn more about the encampment.