Homeless 'Camps' Cleared Under Birmingham Interstates

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Homelessness has been an issue in Birmingham for decades, and anyone who wanders through downtown Birmingham is likely to see small communities of homeless people sheltered under interstate overpasses in the city at any given time.

This is about to change, based on an effort by the Alabama Department of Transportation. State crews worked for two days last week clearing out homeless people who had set up camps under I-65 bridges in downtown Birmingham along 1st and 2nd Avenue North, according to a report by ABC 33/40.

The report said more "No Trespassing" signs were put in place and fencing will be secured in these areas.

The full ABC 33/40 report can be viewed here:

Local businesses said among the many complaints about the congregation of homeless people in the are was that their customers were being harassed and they reported car break-ins. Large amounts of debris including mattresses were piling up under the overpasses.