Block Club Chicago: Residents, Advocates Fear An Encampment Clearing As Tensions At Gompers Park Rise

After spending two winters living outside at Gompers Park, Desiray has finally found stable housing.

The 39-year-old, who declined to share her last name, hopes to move into her suburban Northlake apartment by March 1, just a few days before the city hosts an Accelerated Moving Event, or AME, at the Far Northwest Side park, 4222 W. Foster Ave.

During AMEs, city case managers connect unhoused individuals with housing and rental assistance. However, past moving events, like the ones held at Humboldt Park, have been followed by encampment clearings — something Desiray and others hope doesn’t happen at Gompers.