The city of Philadelphia has announced plans to temporarily shut down part of Kensington Avenue on Wednesday, May 8th to resolve a large homeless encampment that has formed in the struggling neighborhood. In this article we talk about Philadelphia Takes Bold Action, Plans to Shut Down Section of Kensington Avenue to Tackle Encampment Issues!
Kensington Avenue Shutdown Details
The section of Kensington Avenue between East Orleans Street and Allegheny Avenue will be closed from 8am to 3pm as city workers engage with individuals experiencing homelessness who have set up tents and structures along the sidewalks. Traffic will be detoured to nearby streets like Frankford Avenue and Emerald Street during the closure.
This action comes after a month-long process of posting notices in the area that camping and storing belongings on public sidewalks is prohibited. Outreach teams and social service agencies have also been working to connect people living in the encampment with housing and treatment options.
The city said the temporary street closure is necessary to ensure the safety of both city workers and people residing in the encampment as the final day of encampment resolution activities take place.
Kensington Neighborhood Plagued by Opioids and Homelessness
Kensington has dealt with open-air drug markets and rampant opioid abuse issues for years. An influx of the synthetic opioid xylazine has also recently hit the streets. This has exacerbated addiction and overdose issues as well as homelessness rates.
The large encampment along Kensington Avenue near train tracks has raised public health and safety concerns. Mayor Cherelle Parker and other city officials have made addressing these problems in Kensington a top priority.
Mayor Parker Plan for Kensington
Since taking office, Mayor Parker has pledged to make Philadelphia the “safest, cleanest, greenest big city in America.” A key part of this initiative involves cleaning up and revitalizing Kensington.
Her administration’s plan for the neighborhood includes five key strategies:
- Increased trash and debris removal
- Expanded street outreach to connect people with housing/treatment
- Targeted homeless encampment resolution
- Engaging major property stakeholders
- Exploring long-term housing solutions
The planned shutdown and clearing of the Kensington Avenue encampment represents action on the third prong of this strategic plan.
Community Questions Over City Approach
While many agree addressing homelessness and drug activity in Kensington is crucial, some community groups have raised questions over the specifics of the city’s approach.
For example, restricting business hours with a curfew may unfairly target establishments not actually contributing to encampments and illegal drug sales. And encampment removal alone does nothing to provide people living on the streets with better alternatives.
City Efforts to Improve Kensington Coordination
In an effort to streamline solutions for Kensington, a City Council “Kensington Caucus” was formed earlier this year. The group aims to improve coordination between local, state, and federal agencies.
Additionally, Mayor Parker appointed Deputy Police Commissioner Pedro Rosario to focus specifically on stabilizing public safety and quality of life concerns in the embattled neighborhood.
Before Wednesday planned encampment resolution, Mayor Parker will also hold a town hall meeting in Kensington to discuss her administration’s plans and take input from residents and business owners.
The Way Forward for Kensington
While shutting down a section of Kensington Avenue to clear homeless encampments may provide temporary relief, many recognize much work remains to truly transform the historic neighborhood for the better.
The complexity of problems facing Kensington call for collaboration between city agencies, lawmakers, community groups, and residents. Additionally, increased funding and resources for housing, treatment, and long-term revitalization plans are still needed.
Wednesday’s actions represent one bold step forward amidst the ongoing challenges. Time will tell how effective the intervention is and what comes next for Kensington. I sincerely hope you find this “Philadelphia Takes Bold Action, Plans to Shut Down Section of Kensington Avenue to Tackle Encampment Issues!” article helpful.
