Birmingham city officials say concerns that the city is moving homeless people from parks into residential neighborhoods are baseless.

“There is absolutely no truth to rumors that the City of Birmingham is clearing parks and moving unhoused residents into neighborhoods,” said spokeswoman Marie Sutton on Thursday.

A College Hill resident, Darryl Timmons, recorded a video of a woman being dropped off at a vacant property near his after the city cleared Linn Park last week. Now he can’t sleep, he said.

“There’s some of it that is ugly. She been urinating and doing some bad stuff I can’t say on camera. My girl, you know, don’t appreciate it because it’s like disrespecting us. It’s not right. And, you know, when at nighttime, it gets louder,” he told WVTM 13 News.

His security cameras took footage of Urban Alchemy, a non-profit working with the city, dropping the woman off.

According to the television report, city officials said the woman told Urban Alchemy that a person at the house would allow her to stay there, while the neighbor said the house was abandoned.

Sutton said the city is not in the process of clearing homeless encampments across Birmingham but they do respond to complaints about safety or public health

“The City of Birmingham remains firmly committed to supporting our unhoused neighbors with compassion, safety, and dignity while also ensuring that public spaces remain welcoming and accessible for all residents,” she said.

On Wednesday, the city announced a 1$ contribution to a new homeless shelter at Jimmie Hale Mission. Sutton noted other investments the city has made, including $1 million to Firehouse Shelter and $1.3 million for AIDS Alabama’s Way Station for Youth.

Social media commentators criticized the city last week for moving homeless people from Linn Park.

Officials posted an explanation of their approach to clearing the encampments.

“In every case, people are asked to voluntarily move their tents and personal belongings and they are given adequate time. People are always allowed to congregate and remain in parks during park hours.”

The following day, Mayor Randall Woodfin went to the park to help to the homeless.

The city says people experiencing homelessness who are in crisis in non-emergency situations can call HEART BHAM at 659-596-3458.

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