Tucked in the hills overlooking parts of Kansas City, you will find dozens of tents, bonfires, and make-shift homes.
You will also find some tired yet optimistic faces, like Billy's.
Billy and his dog, Tux, have been living on the streets for six years.
“This is the way I am living right now because I am trying to get my ID and everything like that but I don’t have an address where they can send it to [me],” he told 41 Action News while clutching a jean jacket in one hand and holding his dog, Tux, in his other.
Billy and Tux have been living in one of the city’s largest homeless camps for the past six years.
This is one of the largest encampment sites in Kansas City. More than 80 people call this site ‘home.
But soon, he and everyone else will be forced to leave. The city is conducting a park cleanup on March 4th, which means everyone will need to leave by then.
“I knew it was going to happen,” he said. “I tried to tell everyone. I had seen it happen before.”
According to Kansas City spokesman Chris Hernandez, the city is clearing out the encampment for several reasons. In an email, Hernandez told 41 Action News the site sits on city-owned Park property and camping is not allowed in city parks. Also, “it’s very close to a grade school and neighbors have complained about trash, human waste and trespassing,” wrote Hernandez.
Kansas City will clear out the site March 4th.
The city gave notice 30 days in advance. In addition, they are working with community-based organizations and agencies to help provide those, like Billy, with different services.
“We are the front lines for these individuals,” said Jae Edgar Bennet of Street Medicine Kansas City.
“We wanted this not to be a surprise. That’s why we have been taking time to inform them to let them know this is coming,” said Kar Woo of Artists Helping the Homeless.
On Wednesday afternoon, 41 Action News joined Bennet, Woo and dozens of other volunteers at the site. While some volunteers worked on getting people healthcare, others helped find them shelter and temporary housing to go to.
Dozens of volunteers are helping those at the camp before they are evicted. Some are helping with finding them housing others are helping provide medical services.
Woo helped one young man get in touch with his mother after several years. He now has a bus ticket so he can finally go home.
“We shouldn’t have this here in the Midwest. I mean people should not live like this,” Woo said.
As for Billy, on Wednesday volunteers were helping him get a photo-ID and find a place where he and Tux could stay.
Billy has been trying to get an ID for several years.
“It might not be right overnight. Rome wasn’t built in a day… sometimes it takes time,” he said.
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