On the heels of recent votes to ban camping in parks and washes, Ward 6 Council member Karin Uhlich has proposed a new initiative: “Help Huts.”

A Help Hut isn’t to be confused with a Man Cave or a She Shed—though the concept is similar. These designated spaces would allow homeless individuals to occupy public park ramadas. According to the Ward 6 newsletter, here's how the program is outlined:

Tucson HELP HUTS Program – DRAFT
Pilot Period: July 1 – December 31, 2025

Background:
A growing number of Tucson residents have expressed interest in:
a) reviewing the rules around providing aid to unsheltered people in public parks; and
b) exploring the potential for creating a low- or no-barrier, sanctioned and managed site for unsheltered individuals to camp.

Goals:

•           Expand low/no-barrier aid to unsheltered individuals

•           Formalize partnerships between the City and nonprofit/faith-based organizations to enhance impact

•           Increase structured presence and stewardship in designated city parks

•           Build constructive communication and relationships between aid organizations, unsheltered residents, the City, and surrounding neighborhoods (including businesses and neighborhood associations)

Pilot Program:
The proposed Help Huts pilot aims to provide daytime and overnight aid to unsheltered individuals by utilizing designated park ramadas. The City currently has approximately 160 ramadas across 64 of its 134 total parks.

Under the pilot:

•           A total of 12 ramadas would be designated citywide

•           Six of these would also be available for overnight use (per draft guidelines)

•           In parks with more than three rental ramadas, one would be designated for daytime use by organizations providing aid

•           In parks with more than six ramadas, one could be used both during the day and overnight, subject to additional requirements

You can view the full newsletter here:

https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Government/Mayor-Council-and-City-Manager/City-Council-Wards/Ward-6/Ward-6-News/Ward-6-Newsletter?article=3d87296

WATCH: TCFC GO INSIDE AN ENCAMPMENT AT A CITY PARK IN TUCSON

CLICK ON PICTURE OR HERE  

Interestingly, this experiment isn’t entirely new—it’s already been happening in Tucson parks over the past several years, particularly in southside and lower-income areas like Santa Rita Park, Estevan Park, and 100 Acre Wood. These locations have hosted some of the city’s largest and most active sanctioned encampments.

What we've seen—repeatedly—is that these encampments often grow beyond manageable levels and become plagued by drug dealing, prostitution, violence, theft (from both nearby neighborhoods and within the camps), and in some cases, sexual assault. The conditions are deeply concerning.

Given Council member Uhlich’s remarks during the March 18 City Council meeting—and her vote in favor of banning camping in parks and washes—this proposal is a surprising turn. She has invited public input on whether Help Huts are a “viable option.”

We want to thank all TCFC members who took the time to share their thoughts with the Ward 6 office. Many of you expressed strong concerns—and not just along party lines. The message from the community is loud and clear: Tucsonans want to show compassion to our unhoused neighbors, but allowing sanctioned camping in parks designed for the enjoyment of all residents is not the answer.

As we've consistently emphasized, what we need are balanced solutions: firm enforcement of existing laws and ordinances alongside support and treatment for individuals once they’ve been held accountable. That’s the path to truly effective, compassionate progress.

Before and After

This story is a follow-up to a situation we highlighted two weeks ago. We expressed our deep frustration with the City of Tucson for allowing an encampment to grow unchecked in a wash beneath a bridge. Individuals were observed setting up makeshift structures from cardboard and wood pallets, openly using drugs, and contributing to the environmental degradation of our city.

We asked the question many Tucsonans are asking: Why does the City continually call on the public to volunteer to clean up garbage, graffiti, hazardous waste—including dirty needles and human feces—while simultaneously providing resources like transportation, cleaning services (while the encampments are still active), food, water, tents, and housing to the very individuals contributing to these conditions?

This approach not only enables dangerous and unhealthy living situations for the unhoused, but it also fuels the rise in drug activity, shoplifting, and trespassing that is impacting businesses and residential neighborhoods across Tucson.

The photos below show what we see again and again: the City allows these encampments to spiral out of control, while nearby businesses and residents suffer. Eventually, the City steps in to offer services—which are often declined—and moves the individuals along to another location, where the cycle begins anew.

This is a pattern. It’s ineffective, costly, and harmful to everyone involved.

We urge you to stay vigilant and continue reporting dangerous or illegal activity:

•           Call 911 for emergencies—even if you know response times may be slow due to limited police resources.

•           Call 311 to report non-emergency issues in your neighborhood.

•           Report encampments early and often at the City’s official Homeless Encampment Reporting Tool:
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Government/Office-of-the-City-Manager/Homeless-Encampment-Protocol-Reporting-ToolThese “after” pictures show what remains once an encampment is cleared. Volunteers will be asked to clean up this debris—just in time to prevent it from being swept downstream by monsoon rains.

We must break this cycle. Tucson deserves better.