STOCKTON, Calif. — The harsh scrape of this tractor's front bucket all morning Friday meant another load headed to a convoy of trailers lined up on Church Street in Stockton, waiting to go to the dump.
Wood pallets, tarps, tents, mattresses, sofas and more were considered trash by the City of Stockton but meant much more for people dealing with homelessness like Cutie Khara.
"They're taking away houses we built. Like, you know, we find certain things to help us through the day because we don't have running electricity or running water, you know," said Khara. "It might be very little looking at it from a different point of view, but for us, it means a lot."
Having a lot and then in an instant: nothing-- it's a feeling that the estimated 100 people living in the area know too well. This time, they were given a 72-hour notice.
"It definitely was a community that we loved. We knew each other. We shared with each other, we helped each other," said Khara. "We just have to start all over again."
While many of the people understood the reason why the area was being cleared-- and in some cases, even welcomed the cleanup-- many of them don't understand why they can't go back. Just across the street from the longtime encampment are the services that they rely on like free meals, showers, and more.
"As far as them taking our personal property, I think its kind of messed up," said Blake Williams, who lived in the encampment. "As far as them coming out and cleaning up, it's good because, you know, it'd be kids out here sometimes and you got like, you got broken needles laying around."
Some people were told that the cleanup was due to construction on a new 300-bed low-barrier shelter at St. Mary's Community Services.
The city could not confirm, saying they conduct clean-ups based on complaints, proximity to infrastructure, and crime rates. St. Mary's didn't respond to calls and emails.
That new shelter was scheduled to open in December, but it's unclear if the project is still on track.
"They are trying to do the best they can and I am not going to dismiss their efforts," said Khara. "It's just, you win some, you lose some."
Watching her community dismissed as trash Friday was a harsh reality.
"They do give us resources. A lot of the places are full. A lot of the places won't accept animals," said Khara. "Displacement is not a solution."
Watch more from ABC10: Homeless hospice 'Joshua's House' set to open spring 2025
