Block Club Chicago: As City Moves To Clear Its Biggest Tent Encampment, Some Living In Humboldt Park ‘Refuse’ To Go

Ariel Parrella-Aureli/Block Club Chicago

Homeless outreach workers are urging the city to reconsider the closure, as not all residents were matched with housing. But it’s unsafe for people to be living outside as temperatures drop, others say.

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While they applauded Fuentes’ efforts in securing 63 units for people in the park and her push for a non-congregate shelter in Humboldt Park, these steps don’t warrant permanently closing the park to people who need it, said Ali Simmons, senior case and outreach worker with the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness.

“Public spaces should not be made unavailable to people who become homeless in the future,” Simmons said. “The solution to homelessness is permanent housing and services. Until we have access to housing for all that need it, the city must keep public spaces open for those that enter homelessness and have no other options.”