City crews cleared a homeless encampment in Legion Park on the North Side early Tuesday morning, as below-freezing temperatures persisted and residents waited for access to long-term affordable housing. The sweep displaced about 20 people who had been living in tents between Peterson and Bryn Mawr avenues, with only one resident accepting temporary shelter offered by the city.
The removal of the encampment highlights ongoing challenges faced by unhoused individuals in Chicago, particularly regarding delays in accessing permanent housing and concerns over safety in city shelters. Advocates and outreach workers say that clearing encampments before residents are housed can disrupt progress toward stability and trust.
William Ramirez, who has lived at Legion Park for five years, said this was his third experience with an encampment sweep at the location. “I’m going to a church for today, but I don’t know about next week, or after that,” Ramirez said. Mary Tarullo, director of city policy with the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness, said, “Until there are accessible housing options for everyone experiencing homelessness across the whole city, people need public spaces in order to survive.” Gabriel from Parks for All noted that most residents left ahead of the closure due to safety concerns with shelters and added that advocacy groups have sought meetings with city officials about alternatives.
Linsey Maughan from the Department of Family and Support Services reported that 16 residents have selected affordable units while two more are working with providers; however, none have moved into their new homes yet due to typical waiting periods of 30-60 days after selection. Ryan Spangler from Heartland Alliance Health warned that displacement can cause loss of belongings and documents: “They’re put through displacement and trauma, which causes them to further disengage from the process and lose trust in our systems,” Spangler said.
Advocates proposed a counterplan involving fire safety measures and distancing tents from property lines, but Gabriel said it was not accepted by the city. The Hollywood-North Park Community Association supported closing this specific encampment due to unique fire risks posed by its proximity to homes: “Closing the encampment in Legion Park acknowledges these risks without criminalizing homelessness elsewhere in the City. This is not a precedent; it is an exception,” according to their statement.
Broader issues remain unresolved as data shows Chicago faces a shortage of more than 126,000 affordable rental units for low-income residents and average waits for longer-term housing can reach four years. As Spangler concluded: “What would really keep folks safe is housing… Affordable housing is what keeps people safe, not evictions, not displacement.”
