Caltrans Crews Clear Out Homeless Encampment Below San Rafael Hwy 101 Overpass – CBS San Francisco

SAN RAFAEL (KPIX) – Authorities began clearing a North Bay homeless camp located under a San Rafael freeway overpass late Monday morning.

Both Caltrans and city officials said they had no choice but to force those living there without shelter to flee.

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The entire eviction process will take hours. Crews arrived late morning to begin cleaning up the tents and huts under the US Highway 101 flyover at the intersection of Fourth and Heatherton near downtown San Rafael.

People who lived in tents and cars had assembled an entire neighborhood made up mostly of looted objects. They called the dismantling of the camp a major systematic failure.

“This place was a good place of healing and peace for the people,” said camp resident Christian Gift.

After the Caltrans crews started hauling items and clearing the warehouse, the people who lived here said the workers could destroy their homes, but it wouldn’t destroy their mood.

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In all of California, housing is only available for about 30% of the homeless.

“It is devastating when your community is torn apart; what you built, what you could bring together and merge, and then the state comes and tears it to pieces, ”said Robbie Powelson of the Marin County Homeless Union.

San Rafael officials say local and state leaders have worked hard for the past five years to end chronic homelessness by providing services and support. This particular camp on state property under Highway 101 has grown significantly since the pandemic began. The city says it just got too big.

“The reason there are so many people under the viaduct is because when people go to San Rafael and try to pitch a tent, the SRPD snatched their tents from people,” explained Powelson.

Caltrans says police and fire calls in the area of ​​the camp have doubled, including calls for violent crime and theft.

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Caltrans told KPIX that it had worked with the city and county to help unoccupied residents move into permanent housing or housing.