City of Lawrence to close camp behind Amtrak Station

The City of Lawrence announced Friday that it is closing the camp where people are living behind the Amtrak Station in East Lawrence.

“The City’s Homeless Response Team began working with individuals staying at the camp several weeks ago and informed them today that the camp must be vacated by Tuesday, Oct. 15,” according to a news release from the city.

The city in fall of 2022 opened its sanctioned camp behind Johnny’s Tavern in North Lawrence. That camp was also the first major camp the city closed, effective in April.

Some people have been living in the woods near the Amtrak station for years; some moved there after the city-sanctioned camp was closed.

Some advocates and residents of the camp have said they feared once the city-sanctioned camp was closed, Amtrak would be next.

“Helping the individuals relocate can be a time-intensive project as the Homeless Response Team is focused on finding the best solutions for each individual’s or family’s needs,” according to the city’s release. “Over the next two months, campers will be supported with wrap-around services to aid in their recovery from homelessness and get connected to shelter or housing.”

“The goal of this effort is to help each person living at the camp exit unsheltered homelessness by October 15,” the release continued. “Investments in the multi-disciplinary Homeless Response Team, which allowed team members to begin forming relationships and understanding the needs of these individuals, and expanded shelter capacity make this effort possible.”

Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.

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