In a few days the north avenue shelter will close after 27 years in operation.
You will read and watch lots of stories that pull on the heart strings. “Where will these people go?”
The Revolutionist prefers solutions and action over vibes and condolences.
What no news outlet will tell you, or our unhoused co-workers and family and friends is…….
That when the north avenue shelter closes, camping in Grand Junction’s public parks will be in fact legalized.
The justifications given for decades of legal repression will evaporate, because there will in fact be nowhere to go.
Of course, a community with 1800 to 2300 unhoused residents has always had nowhere to go. The North Avenue Shelter serves max capacity around 150 guests, but often the most vulnerable folks.
But when the shelter shuts down at the end of February, section (d) city or grand junction city ordinence 12.04.080 will trigger– making it 100% legal for people to camp in public parks.
In essence, the law is unenforceable if there is nowhere for people to go. And come March 1 that is our community’s reality.
https://ecode360.com/44691068#44714053
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