*The WCSR News Team apologizes as we previously reported Melissa Desjardin as the owner of Hillsdale Thrift. She is the Executive Director.*
After a heated discussion with the property owner on Monday evening, the Hillsdale City Council voted to shut down a homeless encampment behind a local business.
Melissa Desjardin is the Executive Director of Hillsdale Thrift, which is where the encampment, known as Camp Hope, is located.
The council voted 5-3 on Monday to remove a large tent that houses residents of the camp.
The move came after officials received ongoing complaints from residents of neighboring Apple Run apartments.
Desjardin said the goal of the camp is to give the homeless a place to go, instead of being scattered in areas around the city. She said she’s working to create a permanent homeless shelter.
Councilman Robert Socha said officials have looked the other way for more than two years as the camp has violated zoning regulations. City officials moved to shut the camp down in November 2024. However, they voted instead to grant an extension until April 30th of this year.
At Monday’s meeting, the council had the option of removing the tent or issuing citations for every day that the camp remains open.
They voted to remove the tent, which involves a longer legal process, including evicting residents, before taking further action.