Chico's homeless resting site is closing tomorrow. People staying there were given notice on Monday that they would have to be out in four days.
"We're all trying to get our lives back. We have a little bit of a feeling we can get our lives back and then they take it from us. We had four days from the time they told us we had to be out of here. That's not enough time to come up with money, pack up all your stuff, find a spot, and get out of here. It's not enough time. And they do it in the middle of the month when nobody has any money. The least they could do is give us till the end of the month," said Link Colvard, a resident currently staying at the resting site with his wife and grandchildren.
Those utilizing the site are both frustrated and sad, because not only did they follow orders from the city, but they also say they have made the resting site a community.
"We knew we weren't supposed to be just sleeping in the street or any of the parks and stuff like that," said Clare. "They opened this up and we've been here since day two so we've had a chance to set up and get to know the other people that are around here, the different families. It feels, like a said, a slap in the face because we felt like we were doing what they were asking us to do and now they're not giving us any options in what to do next."
Many families and young children who are currently using the resting site say they do not want to go to Comanche Creek or Teichert Ponds, other well-known homeless camps, because they do not want to be around the various activities that go on there.
"There's no way I would take my son there. That wouldn't be a safe place at all and I wouldn't feel safe with him there," said Heather, when asked if Comanche Creek is an option for her. Heather is currently staying at the resting site with her son and fiancé in a 5th wheel trailer.
She like many people staying there have no clue where they will go come tomorrow.
"I don't know what we're going to do after tomorrow. I have no idea. We have no way to pull our trailer and my biggest concern is my son."
"I'm feeling pretty helpless at this point," said Ronald Newman. "I'm not sure where I'm going or what I'm doing. I'm disabled, I have a hard time walking and I got a tent, a bed, and a suitcase to pack out of here somehow."
Residents are being told to call Butte 211 for assistance on where to go, but they tell KRCR that calling them gets them nowhere.
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