by National Coalition for the Homeless

In September 2007, despite opposition from homeless advocates and city officials, the Gainesville City Commission closed down all publicly owned portions of a large homeless encampment – “Tent City” – as part of its 10-year plan to end homelessness.

As part of the plan, the City Commission approved a plan to spend up to $75,000 constructing a fence to keep people off the property, and only $20,000 to address the housing and service needs of those impacted by the forced eviction (the City ultimately committed $67,000 to fund additional beds, though only a handful of people were able to meet the strict conditions attached to the assistance offered.)