SALEM — Half of the people living in the South River homeless encampment are expected to vacate this Wednesday after National Grid, which owns the property they are living on, demanded they do so.
The utility company posted “No trespassing” signs on March 13, giving the people living along its fence until March 27 to formally vacate in coordination with the Salem Police Department. The signs read, “You are no longer welcome in or around or on the 2.5-acre property owned and managed by New England Power Company.”
The decision comes amid condemnation from mutual aid groups working with the local homeless population, such as Salem-based Witch City Action.
“There could be much more done for these folks,” Jess Tower, an organizer with Witch City Action, said. “They’re warehousing these people into a new spot, but that’s not really going to help them or solve the issue.”
Lifebridge is opening a new 50-bed night shelter at its thrift shop on April 1, five days after the encampment’s residents are expected to vacate. Homeless people in Salem have repeatedly alleged suspension from services at the city’s sole homeless shelter, even for minor offenses such as not doing chores.
Amanda, who lives on the side of the South River encampment that is on National Grid property, shared how she ended up there.
“I was at the shelter,” Amanda, who is originally from Beverly, said. “My sister got kicked out of her program, and I thought the right thing to do was to leave the shelter and be out here with her.”
The shelter also bans people, not allowing them to get meals at the day shelter, Amanda said.
“I got banned for a week one time, and they apparently have the right to be able to take food from you. You can try and go get dinner, and if you have a ban they don’t give it to you,” she said.
The loss of food and shower privileges for minor offenses has contributed to a deteriorating relationship between the shelter and the local homeless population.
While the Salem Police Department did not confirm a sweep at the encampment, many on the National Grid side are already planning on moving with nowhere to go. State law bars the removal of tents from public property without available shelter. Many plan to try and move to the city-owned side, but it is unclear after April 1 if any of the tents will be legally protected given the opening of Lifebridge’s new shelter.
Lifebridge did not respond to a request for comment.
The new shelter will receive city funding, a first for Lifebridge. The development receiving city funding elevates the city’s responsibility to mend the fractured relationship between the shelter and the city’s homeless population, according to City Councilor Jeff Cohen.
“I do feel like, whenever we give a benefit – financial – to any entity, we can put some kind of parameters on the benefit they get from us,” Cohen said. “In the end, I want people to think that we’re not just checking a box.”
Cohen will chair a hearing on a proposal from Mayor Dominick Pangallo to introduce a citywide anti-camping ordinance on Wednesday, similar to one recently established by the Boston City Council.
