St. Louis city work crews demolished tents and makeshift structures with heavy machinery at another homeless camp north of the Arch grounds downtown this afternoon.
Fewer than 50 homeless persons were living at the camp known as Hopeville. All were gone by the time bulldozers and debris bins arrived today.
St. Louis Director of Human Services Bill Siedhoff says before leaving they were given federally-funded vouchers to cover the cost of permanent housing.
"All the people have moved out," he said. "I can tell you they were anxious to leave here, particularly in light of the fact that they’re going into their own place. They’re certainly having accommodations that provides them with things that we take for granted: not having a shower, having a place to store your things safely, and to exist safely.”
Hopeville is the second of three camps by the riverfront to be razed by the city.
Meanwhile, Rev. Larry Rice, who has fought the city to keep the camps open, is planning to establish a new homeless camp next week, on a two acre plot at Vandeventer Ave. and Interstate 44.
Here's a map of the location, designated by the blue pins (provided by Dale Parker, a press representative for Rev. Rice):
View New Tent City Site in a larger map
