A homeless camp called “Tent City,” established on the property of a church in Oildale, was closed over the weekend and the tents cleared away because the camp violated county code/zoning regulations.
But, instead of dispersing, most of the homeless from Tent City moved together to the property of a different church in northeast Bakersfield, with a welcoming pastor.
“You know if all of us did what the Bible called us to do, there wouldn’t be any homeless people in this community,” said Troy Morris, Senior Pastor at New Beginnings Christian Church.
While the homeless have a new place to stay, they’re already running into some of the same problems they faced at Church Inc. in Oildale.
Namely, the fear they won’t be able to stay very long. Now, it’s not the county, but the city of Bakersfield that could come after them soon.
“[Staying] is not an option,” said Wanda Neal, Supervisor for Bakersfield’s Code Enforcement Division. “The city has a municipal code against sleeping in public places, so that is a violation, whether that's on personal property or on the public right aways.”
Homeless advocates admit many homeless wish to live on the streets instead of following the rules and regulations in place at shelters. But, Morris says those camping on his church’s property will be held accountable for their actions.
“They’re not just going to camp here,” said Pastor Morris. “They’re going to participate. And, you know, we’re going to speak life into them.”
Morris wonders where the homeless camping on his church’s property will go if they are ordered to pack up and move along. “Where would they go?” he asked. “That’s a good question. I don’t know where they’d go. I just hope [the city] has a little mercy. Let us work this thing out. Let’s get these people and make disciples out of them.”
Though the new Tent City has only been up for three days, the tenants might already be running out of time.
“As far as where they will go, we have places such as homeless shelters and places like that,” said Neal. “I sympathize with them but, you know, we have to follow and enforce the law.”
