BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – An encampment of dozens of homeless in tents has gained a foothold on the Burlington waterfront with support from city officials, part of what appears to be a shift in policy under the new administration at City Hall.
Burlington’s waterfront and bike path are popular destinations for locals and people visiting the Queen City. But people riding or walking in the area between Waterfront Park and North Beach say it’s easy to notice tents just feet from the path.
“It’s heartbreaking and a little scary,” said Devon Brownlee of Winooski, who was out for a walk Wednesday, “I personally carry an alarm with me when I walk.”
The ongoing housing crisis has pushed people onto the streets, and now with warmer weather, looking for places to pitch a tent. Two encampments have been growing this spring — one along the bike path and the other in the nearby woods.
“There’s a lot of drug use down here, I have narcanned six people down here,” said Norm Garrison, who says he is staying in the wooded area.
“It’s been a little scary because there have been a couple of people who have tried to steal my stuff. Some of my neighbors had their stuff stolen before,” said Damian Bennet, 18, who also lives in the encampment.
Despite garbage scattered about, they say there is a sense of community. Garrison says he helps run a part of the encampment and watches over Bennet and his other neighbors.
In recent years, encampments like these ran afoul of city policy and were shut down. Garrison says they are now getting support from the city including a dumpster, portable toilets, and fresh water. “If we need trash bags, he will bring us trash bags. He dropped off the weed whacker to me, gasoline, whatever we need,” he said.
“The bathrooms are definitely a huge help,” Bennet added.
For those passing by the encampments, it’s a visual reminder of the ongoing housing crisis. “I think it’s not unique to the Burlington area, but to see it so close to home is challenging,” Brownlee said.
Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney- Stanak was not available for an interview Wednesday but did say in a statement: “Camping is not a long-term solution to the housing crisis, and Burlington doesn’t have resources to address this on our own. We will continue to work with the limited resources available to us to provide some basic level dignity to Vermonters sleeping on public lands, while ensuring that our parks and recreation areas are accessible to all.”