Starting Wednesday, May 8, authorities in Philadelphia will begin dismantling a homeless encampment along Kensington Avenue, stretching from East Orleans Street to Allegheny Avenue. The city issued a 30-day notice for the encampment resolution, which is set to be enforced on Wednesday.
To facilitate the process, Kensington Avenue will be closed in both directions during the day, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., to ensure the safety of city outreach teams as they engage with individuals in the encampment. Drivers will be redirected to Frankford Avenue and other nearby streets.
The decision to close the encampment follows a month-long effort that began on April 4, when the city posted a 30-day notice on the 3000 and 3100 blocks of Kensington Avenue.
Throughout this period, outreach teams and social services have been actively engaging with the encampment residents to provide low-barrier housing, services, and access to treatment options.
Rosalind Pichardo, representing Operation Save Our City, emphasized the complexity of the issue, stressing the need for input from medical professionals alongside politicians. She highlighted the necessity of addressing the crisis from a factual and holistic perspective.
Although the city aims to connect individuals in encampments with shelters or treatment centers, participation is voluntary. City officials estimate that around 700 people are homeless in the neighborhood, with approximately 75 residing in the targeted encampment area.
