James Marion was forced to move because of the fences

CHICAGO (CNN) -- The city of Chicago has locked out the homeless from the dark and cavernous roadways beneath the city's streets, closing a haven from the cold that had been used since the days of the Great Depression.

The subterranean nooks of Lower Wacker drive were once a popular gathering spot for hundreds, but these days only a few homeless remain.

In late January, city officials gave in to business owners who complained about the mess. Property owners were allowed to block off concrete loading docks and heating grates, often sought out by homeless looking for a warm place to sleep.

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The city also fenced areas along Lower Wacker drive -- citing illegally parked cars -- in a move condemned by the homeless and their advocates.

City: We're not 'brutes'

"I'm seeing something and I'm not standing silent about it. Humans are pushed out to make room for cars," said Chicago author and historian Studs Terkel.

The National Law Journal on Homelessness and Poverty cited the fences as one reason Chicago is on a new list of cities criticized for being too tough on the homeless. Chicago is not apologizing.

"We come across looking like brutes, but really no one is doing anyone any service by encouraging them to live on Lower Wacker drive," said a spokesman for Mayor Richard Daley.

Homeless advocates would rather see the homeless in one of the city's 5,424 shelter beds than on the cold cement of Lower Wacker Drive, but condemned the city for taking away the option.

Les Brown of the Coalition for the Homeless

A warm refuge in the windy city

"What we're saying is that this has been a resource that's not the best thing in the world, but a resource nonetheless," said Les Brown of the Coalition for the Homeless.

"If it weren't for the warm grates we would've had 80 frozen corpses down there during the big blizzard," said Terkel, who recently spoke at a rally opposing the lockout.

James Marion had lived on Lower Wacker since he was released from a Veteran's Administration hospital eight years ago. Like many homeless, he has few options and no idea what tomorrow will bring.

"Its a little cruel if you're homeless person and have to move on," he said.

CNN Correspondent Patty Davis and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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