Statement from Olivia D. Farrow, director of the Mayor's Office of Human Services, on "Camp 83"

The 83 site is an illegal encampment that has significant health and safety concerns. The safety and health of all City residents is our priority.

Outreach workers have made over 100 visits to this site in the past year. Throughout this time, they have been connecting unsheltered people living there with housing and services. The outreach workers will continue to work with the people who are living there now as they transition to permanent housing, shelters, or other locations.

When the City identifies encampment sites with health and safety issues, we work to aid the occupants by ensuring outreach is provided to those at the site. Our ultimate goal is to support unsheltered homeless people in transitioning to permanent housing.

The process for removing the health and safety hazards posed by encampment sites begins with notifying outreach workers so they can inform residents of the pending closure of the site and assist them in making plans to transition. The City then posts the date of the closure no later than 74 hours in advance, but often much sooner than this deadline. No personal belongings are discarded. All belongings are stored safely and assistance is provided when the person is ready to retrieve their items.

During this notice period, people are encouraged to access shelters and other housing programs and they will be safer if they do so. Outreach workers are able to assist individuals in identifying a shelter that meets their needs, whether this is the Housing and Resource Center, or one of several other shelter providers receiving individuals throughout the day and evening. Outreach workers are trained to assess people for eligibility for several types of housing programs, so people who choose not to access shelter can also be assisted with transitional or permanent housing placements if they meet eligibility criteria for these programs.

This is an action taken by the City to protect citizens’ health and safety. The outreach effort provided in connection with this action is consistent with the City’s commitment to the Housing First model and emphasis on targeted outreach initiatives that connect unsheltered homeless people with permanent housing.

The most important message to those who want to help or say they want to help is to support the work of the outreach workers and encourage the occupants of the encampment to seek services and housing opportunities.

Thank you for expressing your concerns,

Olivia