Albany Parks Dept. Halfway Through Homeless Camp Cleanup Budget

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The Albany Parks and Recreation Department has already used close to half of the funds set aside last year for clearing homeless encampments from the city's parks. The director stated that it's not uncommon for $10,000 to be spent on a single camp cleanup, highlighting the ongoing challenge the city faces in addressing the issue.

Why it matters

Homeless encampments in public parks are an issue many cities struggle with, balancing the needs of unhoused individuals with maintaining safe and accessible green spaces for all residents. Albany's high spending on camp cleanups underscores the significant resources required to address this problem, which is likely to continue without broader solutions to homelessness.

The details

According to the Albany Parks and Recreation Department, the city has already used nearly half of the funds allocated last year for clearing homeless encampments from local parks. The director stated that a single camp cleanup can cost as much as $10,000, highlighting the substantial resources required to address this ongoing issue.

• The funds were allocated in 2025 for the 2026 fiscal year.

What’s next

The city will need to evaluate its budget and determine if additional funds will be required to continue addressing homeless encampments in parks throughout the remainder of the fiscal year.