A homeless encampment has overtaken Bell Street beneath the I-85 overpass. While its inflicting concern for commuters, individuals leaving there concern transferring.
ATLANTA — A stretch of Bell Street, also called Coca-Cola Place close to Grady Memorial Hospital, has develop into the main focus of rising concern because the City of Atlanta prepares to shut a homeless encampment beneath the I-85 overpass.
Under the bridge, tents line the sidewalk alongside discarded couches and piles of trash. The buildup has pressured some pedestrians to stroll on the street to get across the encampment.
Michelle Richardson mentioned she has seen the realm altering over time.
“One, I’ve seen more individuals, but actually like more extravagant set ups as far as mattresses, tents, and blankets and things like that.”
Several individuals who spoke off digital camera mentioned even when these staying there are advised to go away, they typically return.
That might quickly change. A metropolis discover posted on the web site states the encampment might be cleared beginning Friday.
“The bible don’t tell you, ‘Love thy neighbor unless they’re a crackhead.’ It says Love thy neighbor,” mentioned Xhexania Xander, who has been residing underneath the overpass since December.
She mentioned discovering a protected place to sleep has been a continuing wrestle.
“I’ll probably have to sleep outside at Hurt Park or Woodrow because they don’t leave us anywhere to go. You go to a front of a store just to get out of the rain and they’ll send the ambassadors to run you off. They don’t care if you’re drenched.”
11Alive’s Chase Houle reached out to the City of Atlanta to ask the way it plans to assist these residing underneath the overpass as soon as the encampment is cleared however didn’t obtain a response.
And whereas Richardson says she needs the realm cleaned up, she additionally hopes these residing there are provided extra help.
“I wish that we had more resources for the homeless. I wish that we had more opportunities for homeless and behavioral help because that’s what sometimes causes individuals to be homeless, so I would like to see more of those resources.”
Chase additionally reached out to Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari, who oversees District 5, the place the encampment is positioned. While she wasn’t out there for an interview, she despatched a press release writing: “Displacement doesn’t appropriate conduct, however housing and healthcare do. So when a City closes an encampment, the target should be to maneuver individuals into stability, not merely from one block to a different,” started Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari. “Which is why I’m so encouraged by Mayor Dickens’ housing first approach with complimentary wrap around services. It’s a practical, holistic model that improves lives and breaks the destructive cycles that derail them.”
The metropolis will start closing the encampment starting Friday, March 6.
