Campfires erupted in more than twelve campsites left on the Mill Campground in Juneau on Monday morning.
The city-run campground, where campers can stay for at no cost – officially shut down for the season at noon. In the face of strong winds, campers took their possessions and put them in plastic bags and tarps.
Garrett Derr was one of campers putting away his things. He told me that this was his first time at the campsite in more than a year trying to find a stable home and was unsure which direction he should take next.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”Pretty pretty much the streets. I’ll give it a go at Glory Hall I think. Let’s see how it goes,” he said. “I’m allowed to go there now after a month and half of being removed from the premises.”
If they aren’t able to find accommodation at Glory Hall, many campers like Derr will be stuck for the rest of the weeks waiting around for the town’s shelter for cold weather to be opened. City officials and St. Vincent de Paul plan to open it on Friday. Forecasters predict to see temperatures of as low as 32 degrees Saturday night.
Even more damaging weather is likely to arrive prior to the time that the cold weather shelter is open. The forecast for Juneau predicts the remains of Typhoon Bolaven to bring heavy rains this week, starting on Tuesday.
Glory Hall Executive Director Mariya Lovishchuk stated that a space might be available at the Glory Hall. Their shelter beds for emergency situations were filled up this summer however, staff have been searching for permanent housing solutions for a few of the clients.
Lovishchuk told the media that, as of Monday two people were preparing to move into family homes and others were heading to Glory Hall’s permanent housing units for those who need support.
“There’s certainly movement regarding availability,” she said.
The city’s emergency cold-weather shelter will be in the city-owned warehouse in Thane in the coming winter. City officials initially refused to rule out the facility due to its location and usage as a storage facility however homeless services were unable to find other space. Resurrection Lutheran Church ran the shelter for two years, however the church was unable to agree to host it once more until the end of the last week. At that point, the city had made different plans.
Matthew Wilson was at the campsite on Monday morning, helping both his daughters and partner take their stuff away. He was worried that about the Thane location might create transportation difficulties for those who want to access the warming shelter.
span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”Downtown is more practical,” he said. “It’s quite a way down here. They believe it’s a bit away since the Assembly members own cars and drive to the bottom of the hill. They are strolling .”
Derr claimed that he utilized the shelter for warming in the past winter, and said he’s glad that there’s one for this winter.
“Wherever you are, it’s the location,” he said.
St. Vincent de Paul and the Glory Hall will run a shuttle at night from the downtown area towards the Warehouse. Lovishchuk confirmed that the company has a driver available to manage a van that can hold 15 passengers. In the morning it is expected that a Capital Transit bus will be at the shelter when it closes and take people to Glory Hall and other stops in between.
A camper with the name Tom who claimed that he was not happy sharing his last name Also, he plans to use the shelter for warming. Tom has lived in Juneau for over 10 years. He says he enjoys staying in the campground, compared to other options available for people who are not housed in Juneau.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”Wish we could be up there all year round,” Tom said.
It was time to pack his stuff and tending an open campfire in the morning.
It’s a span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”Some of us are here not to be the way we want to be however, we are there because we have to.” Tom said. “The costs of living in Juneau is very high. Affordable housing? There’s nothing like the .”
Vice city manager Robert Barr said people who’ve been camping at the campground are able to get access to services through the assistance of community navigators from St. Vincent de Paul and The Glory Hall and AWARE.
The Glory Hall’s daytime shelter is open between 7 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
