Neighbors want city to find homes for residents of encampment in Gompers Park

CHICAGO (CBS) -- It was a packed house Monday night as Northwest Side residents gathered to figure out what the city is going to do about the homeless encampment they say is taking over Gompers Park.

At the meeting at the Salvation Army Mayfair Community Church, 5020 N. Pulaski Rd., Residents of the 39th Ward—which includes the park and the adjacent North Mayfair neighborhood—called on top city officials to demand that the city find homes and services for the growing number of homeless in the encampment.

"I don't even walk in the park any longer. I don't. It's disgusting," said Olga Maria Kaba-Perez. "There's feces all over the place."

The people who live in the neighborhood that borders Gompers Park also say trash is usually all over the ground around the small village of tents—because the few garbage the city has provided cannot provide the volume. The overflowing garbage cans, drug paraphernalia, and unsanitary conditions in the park have the neighborhood up in arms.

"We started with probably three or four tents a year ago, and now we're up to 27," Gail Beitz of the Restore Gompers Park Coalition said hours before the meeting Tuesday. "We've been hearing a lot of complaints from community, and concerns of the park being devastated by tents growing here."

Beitz also said the residents of the encampment use Park District water to bathe, wash their clothes, and wash their dishes—and as a bathroom facility. She said it has gotten so bad that the Chicago Park District had to turn off the water fountains in the park.

Residents said they have compassion for people who find themselves unhoused—but they want the city to step up the efforts to make their neighborhood park accessible again.

"There are rules for the park. You call the police. The police don't do anything," Kaba-Perez said after the meeting. "They say they have their hands tied."

Ald. Samantha Nugent (39th) invited homeless advocacy groups, Chicago Police, and the city's chief homelessness officer to address the community's growing concerns.

"I am planning on behalf of the mayor, and everyone here who I believe wants to have answers and solutions to this problem, to launch the five-year strategic plan," said Chicago Chief Homelessness Officer Sendy Soto.

A five-year plan was not what some in attendance at the meeting were looking for.

"We need a five-week plan, not a five-year plan," said Kaba-Perez.

Residents questioned why the tents are allowed to stay, as they city leaders have talked about getting those in the park permanent housing—not just removing them.

"Being homeless is not a criminal activity, and the city will not criminalize people who are unhoused," Soto said.

While the majority of those at the meeting wanted answers, one man was removed from the meeting—accusing neighbors of lacking humanity for those living in the park.

"We're not the only community that needs help. That's the reality of it," said another meeting attendee, James Kowalsky. "Now. I wish there was enough services that homelessness wasn't an issue in any of our communities. We know how to end homelessness. We just need to invest in the solutions that work."

Meanwhile, Beitz said her organization has been trying to get the Mayor's office's attention—not just to remove the tent encampment from the park, but to get those who live in it help.

"We want to get these people help. We want them to be able to live in dignity. To be living in squalor and unsanitary conditions is unacceptable for the city of Chicago," said Beitz.

She said residents want the city to provide brick-and-mortar homes for the people living in the tents, as well as wraparound services like mental health services and help for addictions.

One woman said she moved to Chicago from Poland 20 years ago and had a good job, but then her life fell apart and she ended up in Gompers Park a tent—where she has now been for the last year.

She said if the city were able to find the money for housing for her, she would take it right away.

"In a heartbeat—no question. Today," she said. "I'd leave everything behind, and I'd go."

Beitz said her group has submitted petitions with more than 450 signatures to the Mayor's office. She wants to send a message Mayor Brandon Johnson.

"Mayor, we need help," she said. "We're pleading for you to get an AME so these people can live in dignity."

An AME is an accelerated moving event—in which the city funds other nonprofits and other entities to move these people into permanent housing. The city has used AMEs with other similar tent villages.

But Beitz said that message has already been delivered, only to be met with a response of, "We don't have the money."

Advocates claim there are 68,000 homeless people in Chicago—and the Northwest Side has zero shelters for placement. Many in the room for the community meeting did not leave feeling any better.

"I've been in this neighborhood for 32 years, and this was just lip service," Kaba-Perez said after the meeting.

Until a solution is found, Chicago Police late Monday said the Albany Park (17th) District is working to address public safety concerns in Gompers Park.

"The 17th District Community Policing Office is working with the Department of Family and Support Services to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness and provide them services with the goal of long-term stability," the CPD said in a statement. "To ensure the safety of all those visiting and living in the area, there is also a special attention on the area that includes additional safety checks in the park and an increased police presence."