06:37 PM MST on Thursday, December 8, 2005

Robbie Johnson
Idaho's NewsChannel 7

BOISE -- Religious organizers of a temporary winter shelter for the area's homeless have told NewsChannel 7 that temporary tents will be set up on the grounds of Ahaveth Beth Israel synagogue as soon as the city permits are issued.

Lisa Chavez-KTVB

A group of religious leaders wants to put up a tent city to house the homeless next to this Jewish synagogue on Latah Street.

The concept of the "tent city" is based on a similar set-up in Seattle and could house more than 100 people.

Until the permits are issued by the city, the group plans to house the homeless beginning tonight at the First Congregational United Church of Christ at 2201 Woodlawn Avenue.

The temporary shelter will operate for a week while the proper permits for the tent city are secured.

The plan is to put up large military style tents on land near the Ahavath Beth Israel Synagogue at 11 North Latah Street in Boise. 

Organizers say there is plenty of space for the sanctuary, and that the impacts on neighbors will be minimal because a cemetery is next door.

However, there are also some homes and businesses across the street from the site.

"I am sure some people are not going to be pleased about it, but it is the holidays and you have to take care of the homeless, and it's all about the Christmas spirit," said Robert Kimball, lives near tent site.

"Its not going to bother me. They have to go somewhere and there is plenty of room across the street," said Debra Chadwick, works near tent site.

The Boise Rescue Mission, which provides shelter locally to homeless people, says they still have plenty of beds available, but organizers of the tent city said they wanted to offer people another option for a place to stay.