Evicting the homeless from encampments that are off the beaten path is something that is happening in Murfreesboro right now.

One makeshift campsite that received an eviction notice sits near the Old Fort Parkway bridge that crosses over the Stones River. The site is home to approximately 30 people. The notice demanded campers must leave by 9AM, Thursday morning (1/9/2020). But, where will they go?

Jason Bennett, founder of the Murfreesboro Cold Patrol told WGNS that when notices are posted, the homeless are given a list of resources that have a dead end...



If the homeless person is age 62 or older, they can apply to live in Westbrook Towers, a public housing facility for senior citizens. However, the waiting list at Westbrook Towers is over a year long - which is a shorter wait than two years, but still too long to live on the streets.

Bennett said the issue becomes more serious when someone refuses to move because they have nowhere to go...



While camping maybe the only immediate option for many homeless that have learning disabilities, mental illnesses or other severe handicaps that prevent them from holding a regular job to pay for housing - there are legal ways for police to remove problematic campers...



As of Thursday afternoon, campers were still present and a resolution to find housing or shelter for the homeless in Murfreesboro is far from being addressed. Furthermore, the deeper issues of mental illness, addiction and other handicaps has yet to be solved.