Chicago Threatens To Remove Homeless Tents From Viaducts
CHICAGO (CBS) – The city is threatening to take the tents of the homeless population living under Lake Shore Drive viaducts.
Tent City Voices Heard, an association of homeless residents living under viaducts in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood conducted Wednesday a press conference and later met with Commissioner for Family and Support Services, Lisa Morrison-Butler at the Margate Park Fieldhouse to address the threat on their homes, WBBM's Mike Krauser reports.
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The city has tagged the tents for removal, said the homeless.
"I live in a tent," said Maria Murray, who lives under the Lawrence viaduct. "The inclement weather is approaching. I am afraid."
Morrison-Butler told the Tent City residents a final decision about whether or not they can keep their tents has not been made. She said the decision may be made by mid-October.
The homeless community believes otherwise.
"Right now we are trying to cope, live and exist like everybody else," said Charles Holder, who other homeless call the 'Mayor of the Lawrence viaduct.'
The homeless community insisted that they are friendly to people who walk by and are just trying to live like everyone else.
The city is currently cleaning the viaducts once a week, said Morrison-Butler. But, there are more people living under the viaducts, leading to more garbage and human waste.
Chicago has found apartments for some of the Tent City residents and said it is working on doing the same for others.
