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AVA NORGROVE, ANCHOR:
In Chico, the city issued notices to residents of a large unhoused encampment at Depot Park, informing them that they'll be removed along with their belongings if they're still there on Aug. 10. NSPR's Alec Stutson spoke with campers there.
ALEC STUTSON, REPORTER:
Misty Kimerer had been living in the park, which is home to 50 to 100 other unhoused residents. She was told by city staff to go to the Torres Shelter for help, but is reluctant to after a traumatic experience she said she had there in the past.
Now she's unsure of where to go, or how she will get her belongings out of the park.
KIMERER: “I have no, actually trailers, or transportation, other than a bike. And so that's gonna make it a little difficult."
She says her next spot will need access to the Butte College bus system, so she can take classes there starting later this month.
Due to a settlement agreement between a group of unhoused residents and the city of Chico, encampments can't be cleared unless there are enough shelter beds for campers forced to move. Because of this, officials are only enforcing half of the park with plans to sweep the other half at an unknown time.
Water and electricity at the park have been shut off for months. The remaining campers can't get clean drinking water or charge their phones using the outlets there.
The lack of utilities can cause problems for residents like Alfred Lague, who's renting a room so he can get clean.
LAGUE: "But I got enough money now, I'm going to get a room tonight, for two days so I can clean myself up. I've got infections from the flies landing on me here."
The city says utilities were cut to the park after equipment was vandalized, and those services will return after the park has been fully cleared and cleaned.
For NSPR News, I’m Alec Stutson.
