Philadelphia officials have initiated the dismantling of a long-standing homeless encampment on Kensington Avenue, a move that has sparked discussions and concerns among residents and outreach workers alike. The action, which began on Wednesday, May 8th, involved the temporary closure of Kensington Avenue to allow city outreach teams to engage with individuals residing in the encampment and facilitate the clearing process. This operation is part of a 30-day encampment resolution notice issued by the city, aiming to address public health and safety hazards associated with the encampment in Kensington Street Philadelphia.
City authorities stated that the temporary closure of Kensington Avenue, specifically from East Orleans Street to Allegheny Avenue, was crucial for ensuring the safety of outreach teams during the encampment resolution. The closure, effective from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, allowed teams to work with individuals who had been notified to dismantle tents and structures. According to the mayor’s office, this step was necessary to address obstructions to sidewalk passage and mitigate public health concerns prevalent within the encampment. Traffic was detoured to Frankford Avenue and other adjacent streets during this period.
This action marks the culmination of a month-long process that began on April 4th, when the city issued the initial 30-day notice for the encampment on the 3000 and 3100 blocks of Kensington Avenue. Throughout this period, city outreach teams and social services have been actively engaging with the encampment residents. The focus has been on connecting individuals with low-barrier housing options, various support services, and facilitating access to addiction treatment programs. City reports indicate that, leading up to the dismantling, 28 individuals accepted offers of shelter or treatment. However, it’s important to note that while Philadelphia policy emphasizes connecting individuals with services, accepting these services is not mandatory.
The situation in Kensington Street Philadelphia is acknowledged as a complex and longstanding issue. Rosalind Pichardo, representing Operation Save Our City, emphasized the need for a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach, stating, “This is a longstanding issue and this is not a one size fits all solution, so I think everyone needs to be at the table. It can’t be an opinion from a politician, it has to be the fact of a physician and a medical professional to deal with the crisis that we’re having here.” While city estimates suggest around 700 unhoused individuals reside in the broader Kensington neighborhood, approximately 75 were living within the targeted encampment area.
The city’s plan has elicited varied reactions from both residents of Kensington and those experiencing homelessness. Aaron, an unhoused individual in Kensington since 2005, described the current conditions as the worst he has witnessed. He expressed a need for more than just rehabilitation, highlighting the importance of aftercare support, job placement, and stable housing. Despite the challenges, Aaron viewed the city’s intervention as a potential catalyst for positive change, suggesting it might provide the necessary “push” for individuals struggling with addiction to seek help.
Conversely, Casio Rodriguez, a Kensington resident, voiced skepticism about the long-term effectiveness of the encampment dismantling. He predicted that displacement would be temporary, stating, “Even though they say they’re going to move them somewhere, not all of them are going to stay away. They’re going to eventually come back, they always come back.” Similarly, an outreach worker from Operation Save Our City anticipated that the issue would simply shift to neighboring areas, impacting residents on side streets. City councilmember Mark Squilla acknowledged these concerns about potential displacement to other Philadelphia neighborhoods, while expressing hope that a widespread replication of the Kensington situation would be avoided.
Megan Cohen, who leads The Grace Project, a non-profit providing weekly outreach in Kensington, raised concerns about the timing and approach of the city’s plan. Cohen, drawing from her own past experiences with homelessness and addiction in Kensington, argued for prioritizing resource creation before displacement. She stated, “I think that it’s being done prematurely. I think the first step should be creating more resources for the individuals out there. Posting signs saying, hey we’re going to kick you out of what you consider to be your home, isn’t a resource.” Cohen emphasized the importance of a humane approach, advocating for adequate treatment and housing solutions to accommodate the needs of the displaced individuals.
City officials have clarified that the operation on Kensington Street Philadelphia would not involve arrests or jail time for encampment residents. Furthermore, media access to the encampment during the dismantling was restricted, citing the need to protect the privacy of individuals being engaged by outreach workers and to minimize distractions during the resolution process. This encampment resolution is part of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s broader strategy to improve the Kensington neighborhood, a plan outlined during her first 100 days in office. The situation on Kensington Street Philadelphia remains a complex challenge, demanding ongoing attention, resources, and collaborative solutions to address both the immediate needs of unhoused individuals and the broader community concerns.
