SEATTLE -- Residents of the "Nickelsville" homeless encampment, named for Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, will soon be moving from the parking lot owned by University Christian Church, but they're not going far.

On Sunday, members of the University Congregational United Church of Christ voted to allow the camp to move to their parking lot located at the corner of Northeast 45th Street and 15th Avenue Northeast, said Peggy Hotes, an organizer with the homeless camp.

It's move number five for many of the roughly 100 people who make up the camp, but most are looking forward to having a place to stay.

"I really thank them very much for inviting us," said Robbie Inman, who lives in the camp.

The current location at University Chirstian Church has been home for the group for almost two months. Even though it has been cold and wet, campers say the place has kept their spirits warm.

"We were well received here and the church has been an excellent host," said Jason Yori, who is homeless and is a member of the camp. "We're... more than thankful they were willing to host us."

The encampment moved to the church on October 10 after having to leave Discovery Park. Before that they were set up off Marginal Way in South Seattle -- first in a field, and then in a parking lot before they were forced to leave.

The homeless encampment plans to start moving later this week, and organizers said University Congregational United Church of Christ will allow them to stay for three months.

Nickelsville organizers said they plan to work with the church to obtain appropriate city permits. In mid-October, the city tried to order the group off the University Christian Church property, saying the camp violated land use codes.

In January an annual one-night survey by a coalition of homeless advocacy groups found nearly 8,500 homeless people in King County, which includes Seattle.