Camp Hope, which provides beds and bathrooms, in September. Isabella Doer | Collegian

The City of Hillsdale extended the eviction deadline for Camp Hope to March 31. 

Camp Hope, a makeshift homeless shelter behind Hillsdale Community Thrift, has provided beds, bathrooms, and transitional housing support to homeless people for nearly two years. Initially set for removal by Feb. 1, the camp’s director, Missy DesJardin, negotiated an extension to allow residents more time to secure housing. DesJardin said the city sent her a letter Jan. 28 to move the deadline, and the city council confirmed the extension with her.

“The city had originally wanted us out by the end of January, but that would have left people in the cold,” DesJardin said. “We asked for more time, and they granted us until March 31.”

DesJardin said she recently had to remove two young residents who were disregarding camp rules and creating a disruptive environment.

“We’ve been very clear about the rules—no extra appliances, no inappropriate behavior, and mutual respect for everyone here,” Desjardin said. “Some people take that seriously, and others don’t. We want to create a safe and stable environment for those who genuinely need help.”

Acting Mayor Joshua Paladino said DesJardin applied for an extension with city officials.

“That‘s an administrative procedure for the code enforcement department,” Paladino said. “Council didn‘t take official action, and I don‘t think the manager acted on it either. That would be within Alan Beeker and Kim Thomas‘ discretion.”

According to DesJardin, Camp Hope is actively working to transition its residents into stable housing, though challenges remain. DesJardin said 16 individuals reside at Camp Hope as of the beginning of February. She issued a letter to campers on Jan. 13 to confirm the new deadline and urge residents to secure employment and apply for housing as soon as possible.

“We wish you all the very best and we wish that there were more options for housing available and more resources,” DesJardin wrote in the letter. “We strongly encourage everyone who can work to get jobs. Make sure you are on every single list for an apartment. Also make sure you have everything turned in so that the Community Action Agency can assist you with funds for said apartment.”

City officials maintain that Camp Hope does not meet zoning and safety requirements and insist the Camp’s continued operation is unsustainable. According to Kim Thomas, Hillsdale’s city assessor and code official, the property violated procedural requirements for construction on commercial land.

“They did receive a letter about violations because it is a commercial property,” Thomas said. “Any structure requires a site plan review by the planning commission prior to construction. They didn’t have that when they constructed Camp Hope, so that is the violation that they were cited for.”

Ward 4 Councilman Robert Socha acknowledged the challenges posed by Camp Hope’s situation but said the city should not bear the financial responsibility of addressing homelessness.

“I cannot expend the city’s money to help homeless people,” Socha said. “I don’t think it’s right to spend your neighbors’ tax dollars on something that’s close to your heart when it might not be close to their heart.”

Additionally, Socha said he did not support a sudden eviction in the middle of winter and called on the community to step up.

“I’ve always applauded what Missy has done and what it is, but I’ve also always exhorted the community to get behind it and open their pocketbooks and find a solution,” Socha said. “That’s what we should do.”

City officials have not yet said whether they will grant further extensions beyond March 31.

DesJardin said she will continue to seek long-term solutions, including a potential transitional housing project, despite concerns over the city’s enforcement of building codes.

“My intentions are still to have transitional housing here on the property,” DesJardin said. “We’re looking at building a large pole barn that could serve as a sorting center for donations and also house ten transitional rooms. It’s a project that will need support to make it happen.”

As the new deadline approaches, Camp Hope remains focused on securing housing for its residents. While some individuals have successfully moved on — including a family that found housing with a relative who owns multiple businesses — many others remain in limbo, according to Desjardin.

“We’re doing everything we can, but it’s tough,” DesJardin said. “People want to donate items, which is great, but what we really need is long-term investment in housing solutions. That’s what will make the real difference.”

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