(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Leaders in Elgin are considering a plan to move residents out of an encampment for people experiencing homelessness, after recent fires there.
The encampment is known as "Tent City" and sits along the Fox River off of Route 31.
Two fires at the encampment this month destroyed eight structures and killed a dog,
Elgin officials want to move people living there to a hotel for four months, as alternative housing is found.
The plan also calls for what city officials describe as "cleaning" and "remediation" of the encampment.
Tia Aagesen is a board member at PADS of Elgin, which helps people experiencing homelessness.
“The current situation that is existing intensity is not sustainable, it's untenable. It's not necessarily a safe environment for folks,” Aagesen said.
“And as we've seen over the last few weeks when we have issues like a fire that breaks out, it's not a sustainable situation. So we recognize that we have to do something about it.”
Elgin officials say their plan will eliminate the hazards posed by the encampment, while providing the people living there with safer housing and support services.
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