About two dozen people were displaced and trash was cleaned up from a homeless camp in the San Luis Obispo Creek along the Bob Jones Trail on Monday.
City leaders say the cleanup came in response to concerns from the community as well as an effort to reduce fire danger and environmental impacts.
Officials say they've been in contact with the affected people since the beginning of the year and in recent weeks to provide them necessary resources and services.
The city says the 40 Prado homeless services center made space available for everyone who was displaced, and arrangements were made to store anyone's property for up to 90 days. They were also reportedly offered transportation to reunite with loved ones.
"At this particular location, we've been planning and preparing for this for some time," said Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager. "We've been in contact with those individuals since the beginning of the year and also over the course of the recent weeks to provide access to services and support them in any way we can to help them get back on their feet."
However, a representative from Hope's Village of SLO is disappointed with the city's actions and believes not enough is being done to help the homeless in the community.
"They have a right to shower, to be safe. They have a right to food and water and toilets. These people have none of this. We've begged them for years to get some amenities down here. They finally gave us a dumpster," said Becky Jorgeson, Founder and President of Hope's Village of SLO.
Jorgeson says she's been trying to lease land to build a community village for the chronically homeless and is now planning to file a lawsuit against the city.
The San Luis Obispo Police Department says one arrest was made during the cleanup because a man became combative and spit on an officer.
Police say there were no other incidents and people were cooperative.
