Gainesville homeless encampments cleared as property owners prepare to sell

After being ordered to leave private property, unhoused people living in two encampments in Gainesville were displaced last week.

The encampments were near Monroe Drive and Athens Highway. The residents of the camp told CBS News that they were told to leave by Monday, or they could face a possible arrest.

Local officials said the owners of the property had previously allowed people to stay on the land, but they plan to sell the property. They requested assistance in clearing the encampments.

Gainesville Police Captain Kevin Holbrook gave a statement saying that officers worked with the property owners and community organizations for months ahead of the eviction.

“Police have been working with property owners for the past few months regarding illegal trespassing on their property by individuals,” Holbrook said. “During this time many organizations have come together to provide resources and help. Unfortunately, some of those chose not to seek help and break the law.”

Advocates worry that the displacement could worsen the circumstances of unhoused individuals from the camps.

Unity Project, a shelter, has around 120 open beds at its facility.

“We’re open and anyone is welcome to come here and get back on their feet,” Giddens said. “We have a lot of opportunities here, a lot of resources. There’s not a lot of resources in those camps. We are ready to go. We are open seven days a week.”

The shelter is working with local officials and community partners to provide assistance to the displaced people.