Krystal Emch and Michael Smith carry their belongings as they leave Tent City on Jan. 3. The city of Akron issued an eviction notice on Dec. 6, 2018, giving the residents of Tent City 30 days to leave. After city council voted to close Tent City, a push was made to house the residents. Not everyone was housed, though, and those who weren’t living at Tent City when the vote was taken weren’t given the opportunity to receive housing. Emch and Smith were not on the original list, so they had to move back into the woods.

“I’m worried this isn’t going to be as safe. Why’d they have to take away the community?” Emch said to Smith as they walked along the railroad tracks in search of a new home.