Stephon Jones, 50, a resident of the tent city is photographed on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015 In Detroit. Mayor Mike Duggan says the city will move people to shelters from a tent city that sprouted in a small park. The number of tents has grown slowly since the camp first appeared several months ago. Some residents say they prefer living outdoors to shelters. But it appeared deserted Thursday as wind chill temperatures were minus-15 degrees. (AP Photo/Detroit News, Daniel Mears) DETROIT FREE PRESS OUT; HUFFINGTON POST OUT
The Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) - City officials say the nearly dozen people camping in tents in a Detroit park have moved to housing two miles away.
Mayoral Chief of Staff Alexis Wiley tells The Detroit News Friday that the group took up an offer from the nonprofit Neighborhood Service Organization.
The housing is available through a city-funded program.
Mayor Mike Duggan said Thursday that the city would have to move the campers from the park near downtown to a shelter where they can stay warm.
Residents of the tent city had resisted previous pleas from social service agencies to move indoors.
The tents popped up in the park several months ago. The site is close to churches that offer food and other necessities and near freeways where some of the homeless seek handouts from motorists.
An angel is tucked into the branches of a tent city of homeless east of the Renaissance Center, in Detroit on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. Mayor Mike Duggan says the city will move people to shelters from a tent city that sprouted in a small park. The number of tents has grown slowly since the camp first appeared several months ago. Some residents say they prefer living outdoors to shelters. But it appeared deserted Thursday as wind chill temperatures were minus-15 degrees. (AP Photo/Detroit News, Daniel Mears) DETROIT FREE PRESS OUT; HUFFINGTON POST OUT
The Associated Press
Yolanda Craft, center, drops off blankets and supplies to the residents of a small tent city, including Robert Nelson, right, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015 In Detroit. Mayor Mike Duggan says the city will move people to shelters from a tent city that sprouted in a small park. The number of tents has grown slowly since the camp first appeared several months ago. Some residents say they prefer living outdoors to shelters. But it appeared deserted Thursday as wind chill temperatures were minus-15 degrees. (AP Photo/Detroit News, Daniel Mears) DETROIT FREE PRESS OUT; HUFFINGTON POST OUT
The Associated Press
People gather around a tent city east of the Renaissance Center on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015 In Detroit. Mayor Mike Duggan says the city will move people to shelters from a tent city that sprouted in a small park. The number of tents has grown slowly since the camp first appeared several months ago. Some residents say they prefer living outdoors to shelters. But it appeared deserted Thursday as wind chill temperatures were minus-15 degrees. (AP Photo/Detroit News, Daniel Mears) DETROIT FREE PRESS OUT; HUFFINGTON POST OUT
The Associated Press