Anderson's Unhoused Residents Report Demolition of Makeshift Shelters

In Anderson, South Carolina, several unhoused individuals have reported that local authorities recently demolished approximately a dozen tented shelters, leaving them without a place to stay.

 

Personal belongings such as canned goods, clothing, and toiletries were left scattered at the site following the demolition.

 

Joshua Carroll, who had been residing at the location for several months, expressed his frustration: "They bulldozed all the trees down and got all the trash that we couldn’t get out. They wouldn’t let us get back in there and get the stuff we needed."

 

Carroll mentioned that residents were given only a few hours' notice to vacate and collect their belongings.

 

He further questioned the authorities' approach: "Why can’t you just put your badge down for a second and just try to listen to our cries."

 

Another former resident, Bruce Ealey, noted that this was not the first instance of such actions: "They walked down and tore all our tents down by hand. And it felt personal. They did it in a real heartless, unprofessional type of way."

 

Carroll later discovered that the land is owned by a railroad transportation company, not the city or private residents, and noted the absence of no trespassing signs.

 

Patricia Jackson, who has experienced homelessness herself, emphasized the need for resources over punitive measures: "Certain people in Anderson I feel like hate the homeless, because where are they gonna go? These are mothers, fathers, veterans who have fought for us."

 

According to the United Way of Anderson, the county has the highest rate of homelessness in the Upstate region. Advocates highlight the insufficiency of available resources.

 

Ealey pointed out: "There’s not really a lot of housing available, no type of placement for housing, no job training or anything."

 

Carroll added: "We don’t see no love and nobody to talk to. Sometimes we just want to. We’re like balloons, man, about to pop."

 

Since losing his shelter, Carroll has been sleeping under a small garage and recounted: "We slept on the sidewalk the other night and it was pouring."

 

He emphasized that the residents are seeking understanding, not special treatment.

 

Local authorities have stated that while the land is within city limits, county officials are responsible. Anderson County officials indicated that the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control were responsible for the cleanup. Further comments from DNR are pending.