The City of Bloomington is in its final stages of closing down the Browns Woods encampment with local agencies and city staff poised to assist those affected by the transition starting from Tuesday, Dec. 9, the day after the scheduled closure. This update comes following a month of notice and sustained engagement efforts with the encampment's residents to facilitate their move to safer spaces. According to a press release by the City of Bloomington, outreach teams have been diligently working to ensure those at the encampment are not left without options, collaborating with community organizations and health professionals.
Notifying residents a 30-day prior, which has become a standard practice for the city to offer a clear timeframe for individuals to prepare for the closures, seems to reflect an effort to handle the situation with care. Mayor Kerry Thomson, in a statement obtained by the City of Bloomington’s press release, emphasized that "These situations are incredibly difficult for everyone involved," affirming the city's commitment to coupling encampment closures with community outreach and support. The endeavor comes alongside long-term strategies the city has been developing to deal with housing and homelessness challenges, as detailed in the Housing and Homelessness Response Report available on the city's website.
The Browns Woods property, managed by the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, has seen almost a year of consistent efforts to identify better living options for its inhabitants. Various local service providers, such as Centerstone, Beacon, and the Monroe County Health Department, have been involved in the process. The concerted actions underline a community-driven effort to prioritize the health and safety over enforcement tactics when it comes to managing the city’s homeless populations. From the report shared, as of December 3, nearly all individuals of the encampment had abandoned the site, with plans in place for the relocation of the remaining resident.
The City's process in addressing personal belongings during such transitions includes gathering and storing items for 30 days, with support from outreach teams, unless these are deemed unsafe or unsuitable for storage. Multiple opportunities are offered for residents to reclaim their essentials, trying to mitigate the impact of these closures. The city also acknowledges the severe winter season's implications for those without shelter and is working closely with shelters like Bloomington Severe Winter Emergency Shelter (B-SWERS) and Stride Crisis Center, ensuring that beds are found for those in need. Mayor Thomson added, "Until we get there, we will continue leading with compassion, clarity, and care, and taking steady steps that strengthen our long-term system of shelter, housing, and support," as mentioned on the City of Bloomington website.
