Are Encampments underrated?

In theory encampments are good choice, they provide production and housing, both are difficult to aquire in early game. With all 3 upgrades build in an encampment they provide 2 extra housing space and 8 production. Each citizen gathers another 2 gold and 2 production with the militairy academy and with the right cards you can get science, culture and more gold for the academy.

Perhaps its a situational thing to build on low production high food locations? Ive certainly run into situations where i didnt have enough housing space for dozens of turns.