Homelessness and low income housing in Champaign and Urbana have escalated into major issues over the summer.

On June 11, Safe Haven Tent Community, or “tent city” was established. The self-governed community was composed of approximately eight homeless individuals living in tents in the backyard of Champaign’s Catholic Worker House on 317 S. Randolph St.

The Catholic Worker House encountered problems when a June 29 inspection revealed the house that provides shelter and food to the needy violated several codes. If the building was not up to code by the original deadline, Aug. 3, it would be vacated and condemned, according to the report.

The house obtained an extension for Aug. 28 and is shut down for its annual repair period.

The Catholic Worker House also came under fire when area residents began complaining about tent city.

Disgruntled neighbors shared their concerns at several Champaign City Council meetings. Despite the tent city’s rules prohibiting drugs, alcohol and other things, members were disrupting the local community, neighbors said.

“I witnessed a drug deal yesterday at 9:30 in the morning,” said Maggie Savvas, a Champaign resident whose medical clinic was located adjacent to the community. “They were barbecuing on our parking lot. It’s party time all the time.”

Members of tent city established 10 guidelines including no physical violence toward members, themselves or others; no alcohol or drugs; and a seven-hour service requirement for the community or the Catholic Worker House.

“There is no alcohol or drug use,” said Jesse Masengale, member of tent city. “Quiet time for Safe Haven is at 10:00. … We take pride in policing ourselves.”

Still, the community violated Champaign city zoning codes, and members were told to vacate the site by Aug. 1.

Tent city advocates filed a zoning appeal, but it was not approved. In late July city officials and community members met with tent city members to discuss the possibility of relocating the camp.

By relocating, the homeless would still have a community, but neighbors would not be disturbed, said Masengale.

Two low-income housing units, Gateway and Autumn Glen apartments, were condemned in late May.

This added to Champaign and Urbana’s homelessness problem.

“I think of Urbana as a city with a big heart. It’s important that we don’t see innocent people who are paying their bills getting condemned. The government has a role to protect these people,” said Danielle Chynoweth, former Urbana alderwoman.

While tent city has been uprooted, the Catholic Worker House is expected to reopen at the end of the month.

The code violations are minor compared to the difference the worker house makes in people’s lives, said Jeannette Hayes, resident of the worker house.

“It’s wrong when a neighbor tries to reach out to another neighbor, and then they get fined for trying to do something the city wouldn’t do in the first place,” Hayes said.