Together Monroe County, Bloomington spent $250,000 to clear homeless camps

Community members, including advocates for homeless people, increasingly are criticizing the clearing of camps and the associated costs as ineffective, as the actions mask the symptoms of homelessness while failing to address the underlying issues.

“People find other places to camp. It’s not creating any kind of solution to the problem,” said the Rev. Forrest Gilmore, who oversees Beacon, a Bloomington-based agency that includes the Friend’s Place shelter and works to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

Trying to find a place

Jeremy Shipley, who is homeless, said he has was ejected out of three homeless camps in 2021, but his situation hasn't changed much.

"It's still about the same," he said Tuesday morning at Seminary Park.