Nelson said, “We will work cooperatively to see that all options have been explored and exhausted before speculating on worst-case scenarios.”

Heartland, in a statement, said the families at Tree Lane have been experiencing housing instability and the trauma of homelessness for years, and that it and the YWCA look forward to working with Reyes.

“The vast majority of our residents have adjusted to their new homes quite well and respect the goals of the community,” the statement said. “We appreciate your ongoing support as we implement the next phase of our efforts to create a safe and secure environment at Tree Lane and the surrounding community.”

Committed to Housing First

Soglin said he remains committed to Housing First, a national movement with roots in the late 1980s that puts the chronically homeless into permanent housing with no or few conditions and voluntary support services.

The city’s first try at Housing First, the $8.9 million, four-story, 60-unit Rethke Terrace, which opened for single chronic and veteran homeless at 715 Rethke Ave. on the East Side in June 2016, also generated a troubling number of police calls but has improved.