Organizers of three homeless encampments in Philadelphia say in a statement that there is an offer for permanent affordable housing. As a result of negotiations, the city agreed to transfer 50 vacant homes to a land trust. This trust would then designate the properties as permanent affordable housing for people making less than $25,000 a year.
The homeless encapments organizers clarified via Instagram the terms of the agreement.
In a video posted to Instagram on Sunday, organizers of the camp discussed and clarified the details of the tentative agreement.
Jennifer Bennetech said that the City showed them on Friday nine houses that are in good living conditions. According to the homeless encampments organizer, people can be moved into in a week or two.
“The ongoing fight is just beginning,” Bennetech said. “The 50 houses are a big step because up to a week ago there was nothing. We were all just waiting for the cops to come and attack us.”
Homeless encampment´s goals
From Bennetech´s perspective what is being accomplished now is not the original goal they had set, yet she considers it a significant achievement. “Why would we turn that down because it’s not everything we asked for? That would be really wrong towards the people in the encampment.”
The homeless encampments organizer remarked that “these are people that are about to be here when it’s about to be below zero. So if we can get them off the street, that doesn’t mean the fight is over. The fight has just begun.”
You can read: Homeless encampments remain in Philadelphia despite order to leave
The city says any official agreement will come with a firm date to vacate the property on the Parkway.
Meanwhile, authorities removed a blockage from the area of 22nd Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The area is now open to vehicular traffic.
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