Region approves first-ever sanctioned encampment site
The Region of Waterloo council approved a series of measures on Thursday to help ease the growing homelessness crisis, including a first-ever decision to permit an encampment.
“The interim and short-term housing options that are hopefully approved today are explicitly interim because we know they are not the solution to homelessness,” said Region of Waterloo councillor Elizabeth Clarke ahead of the vote. “Someone staying in a shelter is still homeless. Someone staying in encampment is still homeless.”
The updated homelessness response plan was presented at a Community Services Committee Meeting earlier this month, and was unanimously approved by council during a virtual meeting on Thursday.
It has four major components: expanding the transitional housing program, expanding home-based supports to help people find and pay for affordable housing, creating an additional emergency shelter space and permitting an encampment.
“Whether it’s shelter, interim housing, supportive housing, rent subsidies, there are many places where we can intervene and make a significant difference to the system and also to those individuals,” said regional chair Karen Redman.
The issue came to the forefront this summer after dozens of tents popped up on regionally-owned land at the corner of Weber and Victoria Streets in Kitchener.
Several delegates presented to council on Thursday evening. Many praising the plan to address homelessness, while also condemning the region’s efforts to evict those currently living at the Victoria Street encampment.
“The region’s interim response to homelessness as presented to us is great, but without another motion or as long as we currently have our legal action against the encampment, it is all sadly just for show,” said delegate Brooklin Wallis.
The region filed court papers to remove the encampment earlier this month, after a failed attempt to get the group to vacate by June 30.
“There is still a court case looming over the site on Victoria Street which threatens eviction,” said delegate Kevin White. “The criminalization of homelessness continues through this.”
A number of councillors voiced their concerns about how the region is going to pay for this plan. Many hoping that the federal and provincial governments will step in to assist.
“This alone, plus the increase in the police budget that we’re going to have to deal with in 2023 is going to make for a monumental task for taxes for residents in 2023,” said regional councillor Jim Erb. “I support it, but please, province and feds, show some heart – help us out.”
According to a staff report on the plan, the total cost associated with the four strategies would come with a price tag of just over $10.2 million per year, while creating 325 spaces for those living rough.
“Homelessness is a crisis in this community,” said Peter Sweeney, commissioner of community services for the Region of Waterloo. “It’s a crisis across this country.”
Sweeny said he hopes to change the housing crisis across Waterloo region.
Tony Stortz is a former employee at a better tent city in Kitchener, and his organization – Better Street - is working to bring encampments to those facing homelessness across Ontario.
“The biggest challenge has been keeping the people who are living the experience, who are living the life, who are in these encampments at the center of the conversation,” said Storez.
The region said it gathered feedback from those currently living with homelessness and their concerns stretch beyond housing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.