A homeless camp at Kennedy Park is being cleared out by the City of Napa.
The people are being requested to relocate to a fenced area a few hundred yards from their current location starting on Monday.
The campaign to dismantle the homeless camp at Kennedy Park was sparked by two factors. One was a $15 million state subsidy to evict encampments and provide more services, and the other was the Supreme Court ruling that allowed leaders to do so.
However, the inhabitants are anxious about being forced to make yet another undesirable transfer.
Eric eventually found a home at Kennedy Park after 4 1/2 years of living on the streets. He has spent the past year here.
“Community of outcasts kind of,” he says about the camp.
There are roughly 25 distinct encampments in the area. Some have constructed temporary dwellings and walled yards.
“We just have our own areas and we just kind of do what we do,” said Eric. “We just hang out and kind of support each other and look out for each other.”
Residents have been hearing about the Napa closing the campground. According to the city, on December 9, it began assisting residents in moving their personal belongings to storage facilities so they could be moved to a makeshift camp a few yards away. Although it has provided refuge as well, some like Eric would rather live alone.
He uttered, “I mean I don’t know,” “I enjoy my independence. I doubt I would feel liberated there. Additionally, I’m compelled to be among people who I don’t want to be around.”
The temporary camping area will close in four months, so Eric, his fiancée, and their cat Leroy will need to find a new place to reside. Eric expressed his desire to remain in his American Canyon house and continue working.
A divorce completely upended his life. Since they have nowhere else to go, he believes that homeless people are unfairly singled out.
When he said, “We’re homeless,” “Monsters are not us. Geez, I mean. I don’t like being portrayed as someone I’m not since it’s absurd to despise someone based solely on their homelessness. You have no idea what the circumstances are, what they’ve been through in their lives, or why they’re homeless.”
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.