NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A bill proposed by Republican lawmakers could speed up the removal of homeless encampments near Tennessee’s highways.
Homeless encampments can sometimes be found under overpasses and bridges on Tennessee’s highways.
“[Some] of the things that we saw were people getting hit and killed by cars, people freezing to death — pets that didn’t have any shelter,” Hermitage resident Brittany McCann said.
The bill would require the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), in partnership with local law enforcement agencies and other state departments, to remove homeless encampments from state property within 30 days of a citizen complaint. If passed, unhoused people would have at least 72 hours to leave state property. Officials would then collect and store any leftover belongings for 90 days.
“[They] don’t have anywhere to go, and so they move these things to the side of the road, and they hope that they can come back and get them,” State Representative Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) said. “This bill does nothing to take into consideration the humanity of these people and the lives that they have lived.”
A state analysis reported the bill could cost $64 million.
“Think about what $64 million could pay for in terms of services for the unhoused,” Behn added. “This bill does nothing but further exacerbate the crisis in the state.”
The bill would also require the state to work with non-profits. In a statement, non-profit People Loving Nashville told News 2:
“The goals of our community should aim to get the most vulnerable the help they need. I promote the thought that if we are going to make laws that give authorities increased ability to remove encampments, that we should equally, if not even more so elevate the opportunities for those who will be affected most, those who live outside. In addition to this, we need to consider that the idea of leaning into non-profits to do this work is kind, but unrealistic without increased resources. You are essentially asking for the aid of overburdened nonprofits to carry out the work of removing camps without providing additional resources. This bill is only solving for the removal of camps, not for helping citizens who reside in their state. With out resources the individuals will move to another area to camp, and then we start the process over again, and now we have potential criminal activity added to the records of those who are trying to exist. My suggestion is to include in the bill increase funding that directly matches each removal of encampment. “
Ryan Lampa, CEO of People Loving Nashville
As of publication, the bill’s sponsors had not responded to News 2’s request for comment. Democrats have criticized the proposal. However, McCann, who saw the challenges with a Hermitage homeless encampment, is for the bill.
“We have outreach groups that are fighting for the right for people to be able to live on the street and that’s not living; that’s just waiting until they die, and that has to stop,” McCann said.
McCann told News 2 she sees this as an opportunity to give people a second chance.
“We want you in housing,” McCann explained. “We want you to get a job. We want you to be successful and happy.”
The bill is on the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee’s calendar for Wednesday.
