Chicago officials has reportedly cleared the city’s largest homeless encampment after moving some residents into apartments and shelter beds.
According to the Chicago Sun TimesThe Humboldt Park encampments, which account for “approximately 90” records per city, were removed after nearby homeowners shared safety and health concerns and demanded action from city officials.
“Other neighbors have focused on providing food and supplies to the tent residents,” the Times reported.
Many Chicagoans have been protesting the housing of an influx of migrants in their neighborhoods since the beginning of this year. (Screenshot/Fox 32 Chicago)
The effort was a priority for Ald. Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward. He further explained to the Times that “the city had moved 39 residents into apartments and was in the process of building apartments for 24 others.”
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“The encampment was more than three times larger than the next largest tent city in Chicago, according to a city census obtained by the Sun-Times through a request under Illinois public records law,” the outlet reported.
“The city is providing shelter beds for about 20 others. At least one couple is queuing for a hotel room,” the newspaper reported.
City officials reportedly recently began ramping up cleanup of the camp and last month posted “Notice of Enforcement” signs around Humboldt Park, warning “that overnight attendance and unauthorized tents would not be permitted after 9 a.m. Friday.” ”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson gives an update on migrant issues at City Hall in Chicago on January 29, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
A family of residents in the tent city had left their tent hoping to get shelter assistance from a city staffer, but upon returning to find their tent had been removed by Park District staff.
The family, who requested anonymity, was reportedly identified as Venezuelan and resident of the “central Venezuelan city of Valencia.” They told WBEZ they had been living in the park for three months.
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“Reached by WBEZ hours later, the father said he did not know where they would sleep Friday evening. By mid-afternoon, the family was in contact with city officials working on their shelter placement,” the Times reported.
The effort to move the tent residents into shelters and apartments is a first for city officials, as they have not done so during tent relocations in the past.
Sendy Soto, the city’s first chief homelessness official who was appointed in April, said at a news conference on Friday that “all his needs have been met.”
The growing encampments came after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pledged at the Republican National Convention to continue transporting migrants from the southern border to sanctuary cities. ((Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP) (Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images))
“This really demonstrates this collective effort between the city of Chicago and the council,” Soto said.
The last notable cleanup for the camp was about the last Democratic National Convention.
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Chicago’s City Council denied that clearing homeless encampments of migrants has anything to do with the DNC.
The growing encampments came after Texas Governor Greg Abbott promised as much at the Republican National Convention continue transporting migrants from the southern border to sanctuary cities.
City officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
