NEW HAVEN -- Last week, some 12 tons of trash was removed from a New Haven homeless encampment, near I-91. Now, the city wants all the occupants out.
"For them to kick us out, on the (Dec.) 15th, that's like a bitter pill right now," said Lora Weeks, who has lived with her husband in the encampment since last spring.
Nearby residents have complained about the filth and untoward activity. City housing officials determined those factors, coupled with winter arriving, affirmed their decision to demolish.
"It's unsafe," said Amy Casavina Hall, the Chief Impact Officer for the United Way of Greater New Haven. "And we've got to give people a better option than being outside. And we can."
She says real progress is being made, in an effort to eradicate chronic homelessness, here in New Haven. A couple of years ago, the number of individuals classified as chronically homeless, stood at approximately 250. Now, that number has shrunk down to less than two dozen.
Getting this group into shelters has been key. But, not for everyone.
"I don't go in shelters because I'm with my wife and there's no shelters for husbands and wives," said Richard Weeks.
But, his wife of 28 years, is more flexible.
"We can't keep walking around in the cold like this," said Lora Weeks. "I mean, I'm not gonna lie to you, we are getting up there in age and we can't keep doing this anymore."
According to the United Way of Greater New Haven, placing a chronically homeless person into permanent housing saves tax payers $16,000 per person, per year.
"And now, our big goal, in just the next couple of weeks, is to end homelessness for the chronically homeless," said Casavina Hall.
"I would like to be indoors," said Lora Weeks. "I would like to have our lives normal again."
"When they're ready, housing will be there for them," said Casavina Hall.
