Chicago Homeless Encampment Relocation Relocation of the Chicago Homeless Encampment In order to clear the area before the Democratic National Convention in August, homeless persons residing in one of Chicago’s biggest and most noticeable encampments will be moved to a shelter by next week, a municipal official announced Friday.
Chicago Homeless Encampment Relocation
Chicago is stepping up to help those living in a homeless camp at Gompers Park transition into more stable housing. This initiative is part of an “Accelerated Moving Event” (AME), designed to assist individuals in securing either permanent or temporary homes. However, some local residents have expressed concerns about safety and the current use of the park, prompting discussions about the need to clear the camp.
The encampment is located southwest of the city center along Interstate 90, which serves as a major route between the two locations where the Democratic convention will begin on August 19.
There were only six left as of Friday, she claimed. They were going to be moved to a shelter run by the city in an old hotel that used to be Ditka’s restaurant.
The 29 people staying there were told in June, Knazze said. As of Friday, only six remained, she said. They were being relocated to a city-run shelter in a former hotel that also once housed Ditka’s restaurant. It was converted into a homeless shelter last year.
Knazze stated, “This is actually a component of our unsheltered strategy.” “We want to be considerate, trauma-informed, and supportive of others on their path.”
“We really don’t want to be caught off guard at the last minute,” she mentioned. “This is all about ensuring that people have a safe place to go.”
After the convention wraps up, the city will assist those who had to relocate in finding housing or a spot in a shelter, Knazze explained.
“It’s absolutely crucial that anyone who has to move due to the DNC or other major events is linked to permanent housing,” emphasized Patricia Nix-Hodes, who heads the Law Project at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
She also highlighted the importance of keeping that space available in the future for those in need of shelter.
A city report revealed that the number of homeless individuals in Chicago surged from about 6,100 in January 2023 to over 18,800 by January 2024.
Since 2022, Chicago has welcomed over 44,000 migrants. Starting in mid-March, the city implemented a 60-day limit on how long individuals can stay in shelters.
So far, 1,411 people have moved out of shelters due to this time restriction. As of Thursday evening, the city reported that more than 17,000 individuals have successfully found alternative housing since officials began tracking this in 2022.
In March, voters rejected a proposal for a one-time real estate tax on properties valued at over $1 million. This tax was intended to help fund services for the homeless.