COLUMBUS, Ohio — The people camped out at Heer Park might not have had a house, but they had built a home and community. 

What You Need To Know

  • The city of Columbus has been working with the houseless population since July 2021

  • The community at Heer Park knew about the eviction for weeks which took place Tuesday 

  • Many at Heer Park have tried to get beds at homeless shelters 

  • Caseworkers and community outreach were at Heer Park to help the houseless community get evicted

Tony Holbrook always starts his day with a smile. From his attitude, you might not guess that he has been houseless for over ten years, after suffering from health issues and job loss.

“The first week was awful, but we muddled through it and every week after that, we survived pretty good out here,” said Holbrook. 

He’s faced hot summers and harsh winters, but his religion has kept him hopeful through it all. Each time his faith is questioned, he said he experiences a “street miracle.“

"I asked Him (God) if I was doing things right and if he could take care of us being hungry and I swear not even 3 or 4 minutes after I prayed, a fifty-dollar bill blew onto my toe,” said Holbrook. 

Holbrook is now hoping for another street miracle. The city of Columbus issued an eviction notice to the camp at Heer Park after they received too many complaints from nearby neighborhoods and businesses. All property not owned by the city had to be evacuated or removed by June 20.

In response, Holbrook and Here to Serve advocate Emily Meyers packed and moved people’s belongings to another camp. They took a trip to the store to get new items for those willing to move.

Price point, color and heat retention are all factors in finding a good tent, which is vital for the unhoused population. Emily said it’s her humanitarian duty to help those in need.

“Helping them to find a spot that's going to be safe, and is going to have a community for them,” said Meyers. “I love them, I love my community, that’s what keeps me out here.” 

While the eviction was served weeks ago and the city has been communicating with those at Heer Park since last July, people still feel they don’t know where to go.

“People are questioning, people are understandably upset, people are tired of this same thing, none of these camps are new,” said Meyers. 

Tuesday morning, The Columbus Police Department and the Department of Development met the people of Heer Park with crane bulldozers, to collect any items not owned by the city.

The Department of Development said that the city communicated to people that the camp was not a permanent solution, and had been providing resources through Maryhaven, Mount Carmel, and Equitas. Sheldon Goodrum, of the Department of Development, said that they were hoping to see progress.

“If we feel like progress is no longer being made and that they’re not taking advantage of the shelters, that's when we decide to start the remediation process,” said Goodrum. 

Multiple people in the camp said while these nonprofits might look like an immediate solution, they struggle to get placed in a bed or housing. Holbrook said he knows the future is unknown, but ultimately he just wants a place to call home.

“I always struggle with things, but God is there for me," said Holbrook. "Every day I see street miracles."

Columbus Police said they will patrol the area. The city hasn’t released plans for the property, but Goodrum said that the city is planning to roll out a housing strategy to focus on the rising unhoused population in Columbus, by using dollars from the American Rescue Plan.

“It boils down to four key points,” said Goodrum. “Build, preserve, invest and include. Under that framework that the mayor has developed, we believe that it will address the housing crisis that we find ourselves in.”

The hope is that progress will be made in these communities.