ENCAMPMENTS

Cities already struggling with homeless encampments could see more.

FEATURED

As the wealthy move in, homeless people are pushed out

emma grazado -
With firehoses, bulldozers and condos, gentrifying cities are clearing encampments from the streets.

LATEST STORIES

ABOUT THIS SERIES

There are more than a half-million people who are homeless in America, living in cars, shelters and on the street. A national consortium of student reporters fanned out across the country to find out how communities are responding.  Learn more about the reporting behind the stories here.

This work is a collaboration among the University of Maryland’s Howard Center for Investigative Journalism and Capital News Service, the University of Oregon, Stanford University, Arizona State University, the University of Arkansas, Boston University and the University of Florida.

“We live right next to a couple of millionaires. We’re living out here in tents, and they still want to kick us out from here.”

- BRANDON LINDSEY

PROJECT ROOMKEY

Project Roomkey, the Golden State’s grand experiment

Jenna Cohen -
When California issued its shelter-in-place order on March 19, hotel occupancy rates throughout the state plunged into the single digits.

Angel of the Night offers comfort amid pandemic

emma grazado -
Valerie McEntee is a minister with San Francisco Night Ministry.

‘Are you going to feed us to the wolves’ when temporary respite ends?

emma grazado -
It was the third week of March and Mike Melcher was living out of his truck in Covina, California.

HOMELESS VETERANS

Once-homeless vets offer help and hope to warriors on the streets

Jenna Cohen -
“We are the team that goes and gets the ones that no one else can reach.’’

Podcast: The last homeless veteran?

Jenna Cohen -
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2019, a Northwest Arkansas homeless services group proclaimed it was close to effectively ending veteran homelessness there. By mid-April 2020, the goal of eliminating veteran homelessness remained elusive. Why? Well, it’s complicated.

In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a streamlined system helps house homeless veterans

emma grazado -
With the help of careful data-keeping, a unified hotline, individualized assistance and a mindful community, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has succeeded in getting service members off the streets.

CASE STUDIES

Philadelphia hit homelessness and drug addiction head on

Jenna Cohen -
Philadelphia was plagued by two epidemics in 2017: Opioid addiction and homelessness. The city addressed them as intertwined crises.

Tensions rise when businesses, homeless people share the same space

Jenna Cohen -
In the 1990s Washington created Business Improvement Districts to “promote economic growth and employment.”

Encampment clearing raises concerns about a return to Miami’s bad old days

Jenna Cohen -
Despite CDC guidance, City of Miami officials continue to clear encampments during a global pandemic.

Top photo: Seven Wu/Boston University

Nowhere To Go

University of Maryland’s Howard Center for Investigative Journalism and Capital News Service, the University of Oregon, Stanford University, Arizona State University, the University of Arkansas, Boston University and the University of Florida.

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