Outside a tent at the embattled Dallas homeless encampment known as Camp Rhonda, the wind blew ash and smoke from a small firepit into Michael Lavelle Amphy s face. The air was thick with the smell of dying flames.
It was Amphy s last day at the camp near Interstate 45 and Ferris Street, as it was for the rest of the homeless residents. They packed their belongings, stuffing whatever they wanted to take with them into black trash bags and moving boxes.
Some were leaving with Ryan Ahmadian, co-founder of the Dallas Houseless Committee and a member of Dallas Stops Evictions. They d head to a hotel for two weeks, which is paid for with funds raised by activists. Feed the People, another activist group, raised nearly $200,000 to help those affected by last week’s winter storms. Ahmadian said they paid $30,000 for more than 20 rooms.
Per the CDC guidance, the Dallas Police Department, Office of Homeless Solutions and city contracted vendors have temporarily suspended their anti-encampment efforts, shifting the focus to ensuring these homeless populations don’t contract COVID-19.
Usually, a sign hangs on the gates surrounding Aguinaga’s property that reads “Camp Rhonda.” Now, a different sign is in its place. “Stop the sweeps,” it reads.
Aguinaga said sweeps in downtown and Deep Ellum led homeless populations closer to what is now Camp Rhonda near Interstate 45 and Ferris Street.
The encampment started with three tents. The number quickly swelled to more than 20. “I cannot kick them out,” he said. “My heart cannot do that.”
Dallas begins relocation efforts for homeless residents of Camp Rhonda
Dallas officials are moving people to Hotel Miramar while advocates call for permanent solutions
Arthur Stebbins takes some of his belongings out of Camp Rhonda, a homeless encampment located on a lot along I-45, on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 in South Dallas. Dallas City offered the residents the ability to stay at the Hotel Miramar. Last week, city officials sent a notice to the owner of the property, Johnny Aguinaga, stating that the lot needed to be empty by Feb. 6. (Juan Figueroa/ The Dallas Morning News)(Juan Figueroa / Staff photographer)
After providing aid to homeless people in South Dallas for four months, Ryan Ahmadian has seen a lot.