Homeless Scatter After Being Evicted from Binghamton Church Site

Dozens of people who had been staying at an encampment next to a downtown Binghamton church have had to scramble to other locations.

Those who are homeless had been allowed to set up tents in a grassy area owned by Christ Episcopal Church at Henry and Water streets.

The church rector, Rev. Scott Parnell, said he had been advised by Mayor Jared Kraham that the city was preparing to take legal action because the encampment was "unlawful."

Parnell advised those staying on the church property of the situation and they packed up their belongings to head somewhere else.

By Tuesday afternoon, the lawn next to the church near the Metrocenter parking was empty. Some items that had been used by those who were staying on the site were piled up on the side of the grassy area.

A few people who had spent time on the church property in recent weeks chatted with a reporter at a picnic table on the site Wednesday. They expressed frustration that the city would not allow them to remain there.

One woman - who asked that her name not be used - said many of those who are homeless in Binghamton have not been able to get the addiction and mental health assistance they need.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: One of the people who had been living outside the church spoke with a reporter on October 1, 2025. 

LISTEN: Rev. Scott Parnell, Christ Episcopal Church rector, spoke about efforts to assist Binghamton's homeless population during a WNBF Radio interview on September 30, 2025.

LISTEN: Binghamton businessmen Mark Yonaty, David Whalen and Owen Blye discussed their concerns about those who are homeless during a WNBF Radio interview on October 1, 2025.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.