By MAURICE IMHOFF
Contributing Writer
A temporary homeless encampment on Wayne Street in Blackman Township must be cleared by the end of August following a Jackson County Circuit Court ruling last week. Judge Richard LaFlamme granted Blackman Township a preliminary injunction against Leisa Salisbury, who has been allowing people experiencing homelessness to stay in tents on the residential property. Rather than requiring the camp to be cleared immediately, LaFlamme gave Salisbury until Aug. 31 to relocate those staying there. Eight people were living at the property at the time of the hearing, most of whom had previously stayed at the encampment outside Jackson’s Carnegie Library before it was cleared in late July.
The dispute reached court after Blackman Township issued Salisbury a zoning violation notice earlier this month, stating that the residential property was not in a zoning district permitting a campground. The township later filed suit seeking an injunction to have the tents removed. Township attorney Eric White acknowledged homelessness as a serious issue but argued that relocating an encampment into a residential neighborhood was not the answer. Salisbury maintained that the arrangement was temporary and that she was working with local organizations to find housing and services for those staying there. LaFlamme said the township ordinance prohibited the encampment, but allowed it to remain through the end of the month.
Salisbury considered the decision a victory despite the order requiring the camp to close. “I truly feel the judge was fair,” she wrote online following the hearing. Salisbury said the Aug. 31 deadline gave her what she had been asking for, enough time to find somewhere for those staying at the property rather than immediately forcing them back onto the streets. She later said seven people remained and called on landlords, recovery housing programs, local agencies and others with possible placements to come forward. Salisbury has also said she is considering whether to move forward with making her volunteer group, Amazing Grace Outreach, a nonprofit after the camp is closed.
The camp has also brought considerable tension to the surrounding neighborhood. Some neighbors have complained about disturbances and questioned having an encampment in a residential area, while others have supported Salisbury’s efforts to help those staying on the property. Salisbury has acknowledged the growing tensions and recently called for both sides to settle down, writing online that she wanted an end to the insults, threats, drive-bys, social media comments and other disputes surrounding the property. She said her focus through the Aug. 31 deadline remains finding somewhere for the remaining residents to go.
The Wayne Street camp is the latest development in Jackson County’s continuing discussion surrounding homelessness. Salisbury had previously provided food, water and other assistance to people staying outside Carnegie Library, where Community Action Agency completed housing and service intakes for 24 people. Several people later moved to the Blackman Township property after the downtown camp was cleared, bringing the issue into a residential neighborhood and eventually into court. Salisbury has said she will comply with the Aug. 31 deadline and spend the remaining time working to find placements for those who remain at the property.
