Chicago Clears Humboldt Park Homeless Encampment, Relocates Residents

City officials dismantle Chicago's largest tent city, offering housing and shelter options but facing criticism from advocates.

The Humboldt Park homeless encampment, Chicago's largest with nearly 90 tents, was cleared by city workers on Friday morning.
City officials offered permanent housing to 63 households and shelter beds to others, though some residents remain in limbo awaiting apartments or declining shelters due to safety concerns.
Advocates for the homeless criticized the action, calling it insufficient and potentially traumatic, and urged the city to address systemic causes of homelessness rather than displacing residents.
Ald. Jessie Fuentes and city officials emphasized the effort to avoid criminalizing homelessness, focusing on connecting residents to services and housing solutions.
Despite the relocation efforts, some residents lost belongings during the sweep, and concerns persist about the timing and execution of the park's closure during cold weather.