An Encampment In Avondale Pulls Chicago’s Homeless Crisis Into Sharp Focus

Do Chicago’s “cleaning” of homeless encampments protect the health and safety of residents? Or do they perpetuate the cycle of homelessness?

By Meha Ahmad
A man experiencing homelessness
A man experiencing homelessness who lives on Wilson Avenue under the Lake Shore Drive bridge in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood holds a sign during a press conference in December 2019. Maria Ines Zamudio / WBEZ
A man experiencing homelessness
A man experiencing homelessness who lives on Wilson Avenue under the Lake Shore Drive bridge in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood holds a sign during a press conference in December 2019. Maria Ines Zamudio / WBEZ

An Encampment In Avondale Pulls Chicago’s Homeless Crisis Into Sharp Focus

Do Chicago’s “cleaning” of homeless encampments protect the health and safety of residents? Or do they perpetuate the cycle of homelessness?

By Meha Ahmad
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Do Chicago’s “cleaning” of homeless encampments protect the health and safety of residents? Or do they perpetuate the cycle of homelessness? Or do they perpetuate the cycle of homelessness? Reset checks in with Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa who is urging the mayor and other city officials to invest in permanent housing for homeless people. We also hear from the group Avondale Mutual Aid about what they’re hearing from Chicagoans living in the encampment. 

GUESTS: Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th Ward

Andrea Zelen, member of Avondale Mutual Aid’s unhoused support team