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'They just moved to East Valley': Phoenix demolition of homeless encampment provokes mixed feelings

The extensive operation, which cost the city $20 million, has resulted in the displacement of nearly 2,000 people who had been living in the 15-block encampment near downtown

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: The city of Phoenix has completed the clearance of its largest homeless encampment, known as 'The Zone,' following a court ruling declaring it a "public nuisance."

The extensive operation, which cost the city $20 million, has resulted in the displacement of nearly 2,000 people who had been living in the 15-block encampment near downtown.

The court-ordered cleanup, which had a deadline of November 4, required city officials to remove tents, trash, and makeshift structures from the area while simultaneously finding alternative housing options for those experiencing homelessness.

Transition and alternative housing

Many individuals living in 'The Zone' had been residing in the area for years and expressed hesitancy to leave.

Nevertheless, data indicates that the majority of them accepted the change and transitioned to city housing, reconnecting with families or entering treatment programs.

To address the housing needs of those unable or unwilling to stay indoors, the city opened a $13 million campsite in a nearby empty lot. This facility offers shaded tent shelters, food, bathrooms, and showers, accommodating up to 300 individuals.

The process of clearing the encampment was conducted on a block-by-block basis, with individuals not permitted to return, potentially facing criminal charges if they do.

Streets near the cleanup area were closed, a measure not employed in previous operations. Additionally, metal bollards and chains installed along sidewalks were reportedly torn out by city employees during the clearance.

Police officers informed residents of 'The Zone' that the area was closed and urged them to vacate, with force being used against those who refused.

This also led to the arrest of a 32-year-old man with a felony warrant.

Lily Bitsui, 33, shared her experience with the Associated Press. "I was staying with a friend in a tent but he’s now gone to a shelter," she said.

Rachel Milne, the director of Phoenix's Office of Homeless Solutions, stated, "This was a monumental effort. It's a tremendous difference."

Scott Hall, deputy director of the Office of Homeless Solutions, acknowledged the emotional toll the operation had on those involved, including residents and service providers with their own experiences of homelessness. Hall described the process as an "emotional roller coaster."

The lawsuit behind the clearance

The decision to clear the encampment stemmed from a lawsuit filed by couple Joe and Debbie Faillace, who have operated a sandwich shop in the area for 30 years.

They alleged encountering issues like feces and drug paraphernalia outside their business, citing a growing lawlessness that had worsened over time.

The number of homeless individuals in Phoenix had risen from 771 in 2014 to 3,096 in 2022.

The business owners pointed to increased crime, public drug usage, biohazards, and break-ins in their lawsuit. They argued that the city should prohibit tents on public property and ensure the removal of biohazards, including drugs, trash, and human waste.

Attorneys representing the business owners claimed that Phoenix had allowed homeless individuals to establish permanent tent encampments on public sidewalks and had reduced enforcement of loitering, drunken and disorderly conduct, and drug use, among other issues.

In April, Phoenix's Democratic Mayor Kate Gallego expressed support "in spirit" for the demolition of the encampment. However, in March, Arizona's liberal Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that aimed to ban people from setting up tents in public spaces.

It was only after the lawsuit was filed in March that Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney ruled Phoenix was maintaining a "public nuisance" and required city officials to provide evidence of the cleanup at a July hearing.

City officials will continue to monitor the area and will appear in court before the end of November to demonstrate their efforts to maintain the area's cleanliness, the Daily Mail reported.

Social media reactions

While the clearance operation has received praise from many, some have criticized it, arguing that the homeless population has simply been relocated and "dropped off around the city." 

"Thanks, Phoenix. They all have migrated to the east valley now. We don't want them either," one posted on X.

"Well they’re coming to the east valley now and setting up their camps next to goodwill on power and ray roads," another claimed.

"And then dropped the others off around the city, clearly. Very apparent. From Washington St in Tempe to 101/Tatum in North Phoenix. Happened at the same time," a comment read.

"I wonder how long that will last, or where will another one pop up next?" another wondered.

"I have mixed feelings. Don’t know what the solution to homelessness in Phoenix is," someone else chimed in.