This month, the city removed camping structures of people experiencing homelessness from Seminary Square Park.
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton stated one reason the removal of camps was concern that people would be sleeping out in the elements, exposed to low temperatures.
Ask The Mayor: Bloomington's Hamilton On COVID Vaccine, Camping In City Parks
“No one should be sleeping unsheltered during an Indiana winter,” he says.
The Centers for Disease Control published guidelines in August for Unsheltered Homelessness and COVID-19. Both Hamilton and those upset with the city’s response to the encampment cite the CDC guidelines.
The guide discusses various factors related to keeping people experiencing homelessness safe during COVID-19. Some of these are access to services, sanitation supplies, exposure to elements, ability to physical distance, and increased demand for services. A balance of these risks should be considered for each individual experiencing unsheltered homelessness, the CDC said.
These guidelines emphasize that continuation of services in crucial. They state:
“Planning and response to COVID-19 transmission among people experiencing homelessness requires a whole community approach, which means involving partners in the response plan development, with clearly outlined roles and responsibilities.”
The CDC said plans should be made to continue supporting all people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Community Coalitions should identify resources to support people sleeping outside and additional temporary housing. Some of the listed support resources include shelter overflow sites, isolation and quarantine sites, and protective housing for those at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness.
Hamilton has said the city still has local shelter space and services.
Those advocating for people experiencing homelessness cite a section in the guidelines titled “Considerations for encampments.”
The first instruction under this topic section says, “If individual housing options are not available, allow people who are living unsheltered or in encampments to remain where they are.”
It goes on to say people in these encampments should be encouraged to set up their spaces allowing 12 feet x 12 feet per individual. Nearby restrooms should be stocked with hygiene materials and remain open to people experiencing homelessness 24 hours a day.
