{"id":16775,"date":"2021-05-14T09:00:26","date_gmt":"2021-05-14T13:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=16775"},"modified":"2022-10-09T06:24:45","modified_gmt":"2022-10-09T10:24:45","slug":"study-finds-sweeping-homeless-camps-results-in-financial-waste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/study-finds-sweeping-homeless-camps-results-in-financial-waste\/","title":{"rendered":"Study Finds Sweeping Homeless Camps Results in Financial Waste"},"content":{"rendered":"
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New Report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development Is a Wake-Up Call for Better Planning<\/h2>\n

During the height of the coronavirus crisis, the Centers for Disease Control called for a pause on clearing homeless encampments<\/a> unless individual housing units were available for people to take shelter. Their reasons were sound. Clearing encampments leads people to disperse throughout the community, which could spread the virus. It also breaks relationships and support networks established among residents of the camps and between residents and community support services.<\/p>\n

But another reason to avoid clearing camps has arisen. This one may make cities sit up and take notice. That\u2019s because this time, it\u2019s financial.<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

A breakthrough report on encampments<\/a> and the costs associated with them has been published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It shows that managing and sweeping away encampments<\/a> comes with a hefty price tag. It\u2019s a wake-up call for better planning.<\/p>\n

The report, conducted by Abt Associates, conducted site research in four cities \u2013 Chicago, Houston, San Jose, and Tacoma \u2013 and reviewed procedures in five others. Overall they found a breadth of policies. However, most cities follow a plan that includes trying to connect encampment residents with social support services while conducting routine cleaning and periodic clearance of encampments.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s essential to understand the reasons that people seek shelter in encampments.<\/h4>\n

According to Abt\u2019s research, a lack of affordable housing is a crucial factor. Second is the nature of the shelter system, which may come with rules or entry times that unhoused individuals can\u2019t meet.<\/p>\n

Some shelters are gender-specific, and clients don\u2019t want to be separated from partners. Others don\u2019t accept pets. In some cities, there aren\u2019t enough shelter beds to meet the demand. Also, compared to shelters, some camp residents find more autonomy or community in an encampment. They have the ability to come and go with more privacy.<\/p>\n

Encampments often grow up on vacant property, under highway overpasses and in parks. When they\u2019re on public land, cities routinely clear them out in the name of sanitation. Both managing and clearing these camps gets expensive, according to Abt.<\/p>\n

In 2019, the following cities spent millions of dollars on clearing homeless encampments:<\/p>\n