The Seattle City Council will weigh a plan from Mayor Mike McGinn early this year to put a homeless encampment on city land in Sodo.

So encampments were the first thing council members asked about this week when they got a few minutes with Barbara Poppe, who works on homelessness issues for the Obama administration as the executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Poppe was in town for a legislative breakfast and met separately with McGinn and councilmembers.

The mayor, following the recommendation of a panel of homeless advocates, believes a semi-permanent site for campers -- managed by a third party that provides services -- is a good way to give some of the thousands of homeless people sleeping outdoors a safe and stable place to pitch a tent. Some councilmembers say the city should focus on finding people permanent housing instead of endorsing tents.

The mayor will need the council's support for his plan, and it's not clear whether he has it, said Councilmember Nick Licata, who was in the meeting with Poppe.

In general, Poppe opposes using taxpayer dollars for encampments.

"She was pretty clear that to her mind, tent cities are not part, or should not be part of the government's response to homelessness," said Councilmember Sally Clark.

Licata said Poppe didn't seem familiar with self-governed models such as Seattle's two "tent cities." She didn't favor "sweeps," but had concerns about safety and cost, he said.

Mayor Mike McGinn and Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith also met with Poppe this week. Mayor's office spokesman Aaron Pickus said it was a "great meeting."

I couldn't reach Poppe Wednesday or Thursday for comment.