Report: Chicago evicts largest homeless encampment, relocates tent dwellers into apartments and shelters

The largest homeless encampment in Chicago was cleared by officials, who moved some residents into apartments and shelter beds.

The Chicago Sun Times reports that the city removed "around 90" encampments in Humboldt Park after nearby homeowners expressed safety and health concerns and pressured officials for action.

According to the Times, other neighbors have concentrated on offering food and basic requirements to those living in tents.

Ald. Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward has made the effort to improve the living conditions of his constituents. He stated to the Times that the city has relocated 39 residents into apartments and is currently working on providing housing for an additional 24 individuals.

According to the Sun-Times, the encampment was significantly larger than the next largest Chicago tent city, as determined through a records request under Illinois' open-records law.

According to the outlet, the city is providing shelter beds to approximately two dozen individuals, and at least one couple is waiting for a hotel room.

Recently, city officials have intensified their efforts to clear out encampments in Humboldt Park, posting "Notice of Enforcement" signs to inform the public that unauthorized tents and overnight stays would no longer be permitted after Friday at 9 a.m.

Park District personnel removed a family's tent in the tent city after they left it in hopes of receiving help with shelter from a city staffer.

The family who requested anonymity was reportedly identified as Venezuelan and natives of the "central Venezuelan city of Valencia." They told WBEZ that they had been living in the park for three months.

The father, who was reached by WBEZ hours later, admitted that he was unaware of where they would sleep on Friday night. By mid-afternoon, the family had connected with city officials working on their shelter placement, according to the Times.

City officials have never before relocated tent dwellers into shelters and apartments during tent removals.

At a Friday news conference, Sendy Soto, the city's first chief homelessness officer, stated that "all of their needs have been met for every single person."

"The collective effort between the city of Chicago and the alderman's office is clearly shown in this," Soto stated.

The latest notable encampment cleanup effort was around the last Democratic National Convention.

The DNC is not connected to the cleanup of homeless encampments in Chicago that house migrants, according to the city council.

Sanctuary cities have been receiving an increasing number of migrants due to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's promise at the Republican National Convention to continue busing them from the southern border.

City officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.