As more people in Pottstown learned about the borough’s plan to vacate a homeless encampment on a stretch of land along the Schuylkill River Trail, public opposition against it has increased, writes Rachel Ravina of The Reporter and Evan Brandt of The Pottstown Mercury.

The homeless encampment is situated on borough-owned land. The 25 encampment residents have been given until December 1 to leave.

At recent council meetings, Pottstown residents and advocates urged the council to reconsider their decision.

“Please don’t do this. Sit down and talk with me about this hard problem we have. Everyone falls low at some point in their life. Call of this eviction,” Kelly Horvat, president and founder of the Ann Francis Outreach Foundation, said.

Chris Brickhouse, executive director of the Better Days Ahead Outreach Inc. called what is happening “a disgrace to the town.”

He explained that the homeless have nowhere to go because of the lack of affordable housing and rooms in shelters.

“This situation is only going to get worse. This is not a solution, it’s a Band-Aid and a bad one at that.”

Borough officials insist that they have tried to address the situation in a compassionate manner.

Read more about Pottstown’s plan to vacate the homeless encampment in The Times Herald.

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