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ELGIN, Ill. - The Elgin City Council met Wednesday night and unanimously approved a resolution to offer temporary housing for the city’s homeless population after two recent fires devastated a local encampment known as "Tent City."
Tent City, a wooded area where an estimated 20 to 40 unhoused individuals live in tents or makeshift shelters, has been the site of two accidental fires in the past two weeks.
The first fire, on a cold and windy night earlier this month, destroyed five homes but caused no injuries. A week later, another fire damaged three more shelters. Both fires were reportedly caused by residents attempting to stay warm.
In response, the council was considering a resolution to work with the Lexington Inn and Suites to provide temporary shelter for those displaced. The motel is located about two miles from downtown Elgin and Tent City.
According to the proposal, 50 rooms would be offered for the winter months until April 1, and it'll cost $425,000 – which may be paid for through a grant.
With the resolution's approval, council members said there would be a zero-tolerance policy for anyone to live in Tent City going forward, meaning the wooded area will be cleared out and cleaned up.
Rev. Dave Daubert, a local pastor, noted that economic and mental health stresses have increased the visibility of homelessness in the area.
"The need is greater, no question about that," he said, adding that not all unhoused individuals may accept the temporary shelter option.
The Lexington Inn and Suites is located right across the street from the Elgin Math and Science Academy Charter School.
"My concern is there's just been a lot of issues, intensity with just violence and drugs and alcohol. And I feel that that's moving that problem directly in front of the school," said Randy, a concerned parent.
Elgin's police chief said they will have officers at the Lexington Inn and Suites for the first few weeks, should issues arrive.
While the resolution's approval is a short-term solution, there is growing interest in creating a year-round, full-service shelter for Elgin’s homeless population.