New exempted homeless camp in Wheeling thrives as residents take ownership and keep it clean

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — The new exempted homeless camp in Wheeling appears to be operating well.

City Manager Bob Herron spoke out today about how it’s going so far and what needs to happen–or continue to happen–in the future.

There are individual campsites at the exempted camp.

The city manager says it appears the residents are taking ownership of them.

He says it is being kept clean, and that is the key to its long-term success.

I think there’s a great opportunity here with the dumpsters that are provided, the fact that there’s some semblance of permanency here, there’s no intent to uproot these folks in the near future and hopefully it can transition into a managed camp but the key is to keep it clear of debris and trash and things of that nature.”

Bob Herron, Wheeling City Manager

The camp is gated and locked by the city, with no vehicles allowed in from the general public.

But service providers–Project HOPE, Street MOMs, Trash Talkers, etc.–are able to drive back into the exempted area through two gates.”

Bob Herron, Wheeling City Manager

Street MOMs suggested that the system needs to be tweaked, as they are sometimes locked out when they need to get in.

There’s a gate down here that we need to have open to be able to drive our van down here with water, with our tools, with everything we have to bring down. And also to move the folks in and out.”

Lynn Kettler, Street MOMs

Other than that type of communication gap, the camp appears to be functioning well.

The camp down here is actually going really well. It’s taking a bunch of us to make it this way. They’re putting the effort in, they’re owning it, they’re keeping their garbage down. Right now you can see it looks great.”

Lynn Kettler, Street MOMs

We’ve been able to eliminate the camping on public property, create an exempted site which thus far has gone very well.”

Bob Herron, Wheeling City Manager

The camp is a mile- and-a-half from the Soup Kitchen, Catholic Charities and other resources that people experiencing homelessness often rely on.

When asked about possible transportation for them, Herron said transportation is, “not a role the city is going to undertake.

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