JAMESTOWN, NY (WKBW) — The City of Jamestown continues to clear and clean several homeless encampments throughout the city, but the people being relocated tell me they are not receiving enough support in finding permanent housing.
On Monday, the city began clearing a camp off Main Street along the Chadakoin River.
“I’m 53 years old. I’ve worked all my life. I just need a place to stay,” Troy Kightlinger said. “(I was told) they’re going to start writing tickets and maybe arresting us.”
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Troy is one of the many homeless people living in Jamestown.
He lived under a bridge on Main Street for months, but was removed from the building by city officials on Monday along with dozens of others.
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“I hope the mayor tries to help more people,” Troy said. “Basically, we’re all going to hide somewhere else.”
Troy feels that in the three weeks since the city declared a state of emergency due to homelessness, the situation has both improved and worsened.
The city said it was declaring a state of emergency to “secure the necessary additional funding and resources to address this urgent issue.” You can view our previous report below.
Jamestown declares state of emergency due to “unauthorized camping” on public and private land
Troy told me that this brought awareness to them and encouraged many strangers to donate food and other necessities to them.
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“Thank you for helping us. I appreciate it and I know a lot of people feel the same way,” Troy said.
Troy feels that this care comes only from strangers and not from the city itself.
“The mayor isn’t doing much for us here… We’re all just trying to fight and survive… A lot of us are going to the job center and looking for a job. I want to work. I want to go back to work,” Troy said.
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The city issued a press release outlining several initiatives to support these individuals, but no one from the city was willing to speak on camera.
Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. said in a press release Wednesday, “The county has limited beds in homeless shelters and relies on area motels to house most of the homeless population. These beds are usually nearly full.”
The organization said it does not support the city’s raids on homeless people, but representatives from the organization declined to speak on camera.
