photos and text by Monica Gomez for Our Town Reno
Authorities in Sparks are considering shutting down this encampment site, which keeps reappearing, along the Truckee River. Photo by Monica Gomez
In the Reno-Sparks area many people have set up camps along the Truckee river. These camps are home to many people.
Off of Galletti way in the area considered the divide between Reno and Sparks, under the bridge along the Truckee river there are over 15 tents set up.
One of the tents in this encampment has a sign reading 'stop' at its entrance. Photo by Monica Gomez
Some tents even have walkways made out of rocks. One tent had a sign at the entrance that said “stop” to keep people out of their area.
The encampment area along the Truckee River is on the dividing line between Reno and Sparks. Photo by Monica Gomez
People now living here work together to keep the trash out of the river and to keep the area clean.
An uneaten banana was left behind on this day. Generally, residents of the encampment keep their area clean. Photo by Monica Gomez
You will also find food on rocks such as these bananas. These camps are all these people have. So they make the best of it.
Belongings and tents may soon be removed, but where will the people now living here go? Photo by Monica Gomez
However, the City of Sparks may be taking action to remove these camps. Then the question becomes where will these people go once their homes are removed?
Residents at this encampment site face an uncertain future. Many homeless in the Reno-Sparks area say they don't like staying in the shelters, where couples aren't allowed, or have nowhere else to put their belongings, or they have pets which can only live with them outside and they can't afford any housing. Photo by Monica Gomez