Ahora rentando apartamentos de 2 habitaciones • Excelente ubicación • Vida asequible
A homeless encampment has overtaken Bell Street underneath the I-85 overpass. While its causing concern for commuters, people leaving there fear moving.
ATLANTA — A stretch of Bell Street, also known as Coca-Cola Place near Grady Memorial Hospital, has become the focus of growing concern as the City of Atlanta prepares to close a homeless encampment underneath the I-85 overpass.
Under the bridge, tents line the sidewalk alongside discarded couches and piles of trash. The buildup has forced some pedestrians to walk in the street to get around the encampment.
Michelle Richardson said she has noticed the area changing over time.
“One, I’ve seen more individuals, but actually like more extravagant set ups as far as mattresses, tents, and blankets and things like that.”
Several people who spoke off camera said even when those staying there are told to leave, they often return.
That may soon change. A city notice posted at the site states the encampment will be cleared starting Friday.
“The bible don’t tell you, ‘Love thy neighbor unless they’re a crackhead.’ It says Love thy neighbor,” said Xhexania Xander, who has been living under the overpass since December.
She said finding a safe place to sleep has been a constant struggle.
“I’ll probably have to sleep outside at Hurt Park or Woodrow because they don’t leave us anywhere to go. You go to a front of a store just to get out of the rain and they’ll send the ambassadors to run you off. They don’t care if you’re drenched.”
11Alive’s Chase Houle reached out to the City of Atlanta to ask how it plans to help those living under the overpass once the encampment is cleared but did not receive a response.
And while Richardson says she wants the area cleaned up, she also hopes those living there are offered more support.
“I wish that we had more resources for the homeless. I wish that we had more opportunities for homeless and behavioral help because that’s what sometimes causes individuals to be homeless, so I would like to see more of those resources.”
Chase also reached out to Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari, who oversees District 5, where the encampment is located. While she wasn’t available for an interview, she sent a statement writing: “Displacement does not correct behavior, but housing and healthcare do. So when a City closes an encampment, the objective must be to move people into stability, not simply from one block to another,” began Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari. “Which is why I’m so encouraged by Mayor Dickens’ housing first approach with complimentary wrap around services. It’s a practical, holistic model that improves lives and breaks the destructive cycles that derail them.”
The city will begin closing the encampment beginning Friday, March 6.
💌 Mantente al Día con lo Último del Entretenimiento Latino
Recibe noticias exclusivas de celebridades latinas, chismes virales, belleza, moda y entretenimiento — directo en tu correo.
Sin spam. Solo lo mejor de Atlanta Latinos Magazine.
