WESTLAND, Mich. – Wayne County officials returned to a long-running homeless encampment behind a supermarket at Michigan Avenue and Merriman Road in Westland, working to address a cycle that has repeated itself for years.
The encampment sits on county-owned land — where a county official on the scene noted some of the remains of the old Eloise Complex can still be found.
It has been cleared before, but tents keep coming back.
‘These are human beings’
Wayne County Parks Director Erika Smith visited the site for the first time, getting a firsthand look at the conditions residents are living in.
“At the end of the day, these are human beings, you know, they have families, they are dealing with things that I can only imagine are so difficult,” Smith said.
Some of the people living at the encampment are new to this way of life. Others have called the wooded, grassy plot near Michigan Avenue and Merriman Road an on-and-off home for years.
The site is tucked away from public view, something Smith noted during her walkthrough.
“You really have to get off the beaten path to see it,” she said.
Balancing cleanup with compassion
The county’s immediate goal is to clean the area and connect residents with resources. But officials say the bigger challenge is figuring out how to keep the space clear while treating the people living there with dignity.
“There’s many sides to the issue and we’re trying to be as respectful as we can, but you know our responsibility on the park’s side is to make the park safe for visiting,” Smith said.
Smith acknowledged this is not a problem unique to Wayne County.
“It’s a long-standing issue in many park systems across the country,” she said.
County crews have been working alongside Westland police and city staff. Westland police said they have repeatedly offered mental health and substance use assistance, along with rides to shelter — but many residents have declined.
Still, officials say they are not giving up.
“I think that you know is part of the solution is just our shared humanity, working together to advocate for resources is something we all can do. We all should do,” Smith said.
How to help
Wayne County is actively looking for resources and is encouraging community members to get involved. Anyone who knows of organizations or individuals who may be able to assist is urged to reach out to Wayne County.
County crews are expected to return next week to begin the cleanup, giving encampment residents time to plan their next steps.
