City of Columbia set to clear homeless camp Monday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

On Monday, Columbia Parks and Recreation is set to clear out a homeless camp located off Broadway and Old 63, according to a sign posted near the site.

The encampment is located in a wooded area near the intersection.

According to the sign, the city is asking for personal belongings to be removed from the area. ABC 17 news saw shopping carts, clothing, and at least one tent near the Hinkson Creek Trail.

MoDOT had previously cleaned up a homeless camp in March along I-70 near the Providence Rd. intersection. The city also had to clear one camp near the connection twice within the past year.

When the MoDOT had cleared the camp back in March, ABC 17 News spoke with Sarah Owsley, Advocacy Director at Empower Missouri who said when people are forced out of these camps, they usually disperse and then return, adding they usually end up going deeper into the woods where they are more likely to be victims of crimes.

In 2023, the City of Columbia has spent more than $8,000 cleaning up homeless camps.