SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dozens of people who lived at a self-governing homeless encampment in Sacramento known as Camp Resolution are displaced after the city shut the camp down.
It’s existed for two years in a lot at Colfax Street and the Arden-Garden Connector. A lease between nonprofit Safe Ground Sacramento and the city allowed it to operate, but problems with the site and disagreements between groups led to the termination of the agreement earlier this summer.
Tow trucks were seen removing multiple cars and trailers that some people living at the camp called home. Now, many of them wonder where they'll end up next.
"They're destroying our home; they're taking our home from us, somewhere we're safe. This is all we have. We don't have a house, nothing. This was our house," said Julie Maestas, a Camp Resolution resident for almost two years.
The Sacramento Police Department removed barbed wire and cut chains at the camp's entrance early Monday morning. Soon afterward, several people were led away in handcuffs after refusing to leave. Four people were cited for resisting and obstructing.
People who live nearby say the camp closing has been a long time coming.
"It's disgusting and I'm always afraid. My grandkids won't even come over, so I wish they were gone now," said Michelle Daniel, who lives nearby.
Advocates for Camp Resolution residents say it's a disgrace to see the community broken up.
"They're not just another homeless camp. These are our family, these are our friends and we come here to support them in any way, shape, form or fashion that we need. This is a devastating, emotional day and they need some emotional support," said Deshon Brown with I Am Ministries Community Foundation Inc.
The city of Sacramento saw the camp as an experiment that could be replicated if it was successful. Problems with the site and lease this year led to Safe Ground Sacramento ending the agreement with the city earlier this summer and an eviction date of Aug. 26.
"This experiment has not produced the results that I think any of the parties want. Today, there was an interdepartmental response from the city of Sacramento that involved Department of Community Response, code enforcement, animal control, the fire department, the police department to do one final attempt to offer services to everyone who's at Camp Resolution and also to clear and secure the site," said city spokesperson Tim Swanson.
The city says it made more than 60 attempts in the last six months to access the site and connect people with services leading them to permanent housing.
After the lease was terminated, the city offered residents shelter at either the Outreach and Engagement Center off Auburn Boulevard or at the Roseville Road Campus shelter. At least 10 people accepted help so far.
There are others, like Maestas, who don't plan on taking it.
"They told us to go to the shelter on Roseville Road or Auburn Boulevard. I don't want to go there. I'm not gonna be searched every time I go in and have to get rid of my pets. Those are my babies," said Maestas.
Swanson says neither of the places are perfect, but they are safe and clean.
"There are restrooms there, there are showers, their people receive three meals a day. There is central air, heating and cooling in common spaces, both in the Outreach and Engagement Center and Roseville Road... we strongly encourage people to accept our offer," Swanson said.
For those who don't plan on taking the offer, their concern is now safety.
"Out here, there's nowhere for me to go. Where am I gonna go? I have no home to go to. I don't know what to do anymore," Maestas said.
The Sacramento Homeless Union asked a judge to delay the eviction. The judge didn’t respond in time, but a hearing is set for Friday.
The union’s attorney says it's fighting to allow people to return to Camp Resolution.
