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7hills expresses concern over Fayetteville's proposed homeless camp
RELATED VIDEO: Sweep of Fayetteville's 19th street encampment is underway (June 9, 2025)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A proposal to create a temporary safe camping site for people experiencing homelessness in Fayetteville is drawing criticism from a local homeless shelter ahead of a City Council vote scheduled for June 17.
Council Member Sarah Moore introduced the resolution during the council's June 10 agenda session. The plan calls for a year-long, 40-person campsite at an estimated cost of $630,000.
The proposed site would include tents and hygiene facilities, food and supplies and 24/7 staffing.
According to the proposal, the city-wide gross median rent in 2023 was $1,069, up from $927 in 2022.
The resolution follows the recent clearing of a homeless encampment on 19th Street, owned by the University of Arkansas, which drew public criticism. In response, Mayor Molly Rawn held a community listening session and later outlined potential solutions, but a safe camping site was not among the options she proposed.
Shortly after the proposal was introduced, Fayetteville nonprofit 7hills Homeless Center expressed opposition in a letter posted to its Facebook page.
The organization called for more permanent housing solutions, referencing a plan that includes the development of tiny home communities.
Fayetteville mayor shares 'immediate actions' following community conversation on homelessness, housing insecurity
'7hills has a plan; a real solution that offers shelter, stability, and the opportunity to gain rental history, all with the guidance of dedicated case managers,' the letter stated.
The post urged support for long-term housing with case management, encouraged attendance at the June 17 meeting and called on the council to table the safe camp resolution for more collaboration.
'Safe camp is not the answer,' the letter concluded. 'Together, we can move forward with a solution that restores dignity and creates lasting change.'
Fayetteville declared a housing crisis in April 2024 after reaching its cap on short-term rental permits in December 2023.
In response, the city formed a Housing Crisis Task Force and took steps to regulate the rental market, including hiring staff for short-term rental enforcement, capping rental application fees, and proposing a 'Truth in Leasing' ordinance to improve fee transparency.
Housing crisis, homelessness timeline in Fayetteville
However, several efforts, such as a $1M federal fund allocation and rental fee caps, faced legal and political challenges, with state officials deeming local fee limits likely in violation of Arkansas law.
Tensions around housing affordability continued as Fayetteville was named one of the most competitive rental markets in March 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
