Judges have allowed Berkeley to move forward with the closure of two large homeless camps, illustrating a shift in court attitudes toward encampment regulations following a Supreme Court ruling. Local demands and health concerns have influenced this decision, as federal judges ruled that these concerns outweigh the potential harm to camp residents. Judge Gilliam acknowledged the complexity of balancing community needs and the reality of limited resources. Close to downtown, the Ohlone Park encampment will begin to be cleared, and assistance will be provided to residents with disabilities in finding housing or shelter.
Neighbors have demanded the city disband the two camps, located in Northwest Berkeley and near downtown, and city officials agree closing them is critical to address a range of health and safety concerns.
U.S. District Court Judge Haywood Gilliam Jr. wrote that there simply are no easy answers to this complex and persistent challenge, indicating the difficulty in balancing community needs and the interests of the unhoused.
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