Norman homeless encampment under I-35 bridge evicted for ODOT repairs
NORMAN, Okla. (KOKH) — A homeless encampment in Norman was cleared out Monday, just days before Christmas by both ODOT and Norman Police.
This leaves many homeless people with nowhere to go.
Some of the people who lived in the encampment under the bridge on I-35 and the Canadian river told Fox 25 they do not know what to do because all of the shelters in Norman are already full.
Gary Downing lived at the encampment and says he is extremely stressed about the eviction.
"Now that they are moving us I guess, out from underneath the bridge," Downing said. "Where will we go? I'm sure I don't know, I just see myself freezing to death."
The homeless encampment is being removed due to structural damage on one of the bridge pillars from a fire that ODOT will soon assess and repair.
"One of our bridge inspectors noticed what appears to be fire damage to appear supporting the bridge structure," said ODOT Spokeswoman, Lisa Shearer-Salim,"We had noticed that concrete had fallen off of the pier, we're not sure the full extent of the damage."
ODOT says the encampment is a safety hazard for both the homeless and the people traveling on the bridge.
They posted signs around the area 10 days ago letting the homeless know they needed to be out by Monday.
"When they put the sign up telling us to be out 10 days, 10 days ain't long enough for us to move you know, to think of what we're going to do," Downing said.
They are forced to leave their home and most of their belongings behind.
"Some of these folks have lived here for years, you know what I mean? And they're being asked to leave and there's nowhere for them to go," said Norman Care-a-vans founder, Russel Rice. "So they're being evicted back to the streets."
With no place to go, many are being forced to survive in a new area on the streets.
"The shelters are full here in this town so there's nowhere for them to go at all... nowhere," Rice said.
Those living at the encampment say they understand the reason for the eviction, but now have to face life-threatening temperatures on the streets.
"They really do need to get under here, do dirt work. and stuff for the bridge, so I understand ODOT," Downing said, "But I just don't know what, where to go or what to do."
The Norman Care-a-vans were out all day helping people move out and last week, if you would like to learn more about theCare-a-vans, and what they do for the homeless community click here.
If you would like to donate to the Care-a-vans click here.
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