The head of a local support organization is hopeful for a smooth transition as efforts ramp up to relocate dozens of individuals living in Chatham’s largest homeless encampment.
Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K.) and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent have notified those sheltering at 12 Thames St. that they must vacate the area by July 14 for “safety reasons,” ahead of needed slope stabilization work along the Thames River that is slated to begin in the fall.
“We’ve been out every day, talking to help people, informing people, trying to help them make decisions where they might want to go, and letting them know they’re not going to be on their own,” said R.O.C.K. Executive Director Renee Geniole.
While shelter services are currently available through Victoria Park Place, Geniole said many of the 40 to 50 individuals living in the encampment will not relocate there.
“Lots of people that we served in some way have tried to be in the shelter, and maybe because of certain amounts of trauma or situations can’t be there,” she said. “Most of them are just going to move from one outdoor location to another.”
While Chatham-Kent does not condone any homeless encampment in the municipality, the municipality is providing guidance to R.O.C.K. staff members to ensure potential new encampments do not infringe on municipal bylaws.
“While they’re not specifically saying one way or another where everybody should go, they are very supportive in helping us find appropriate locations,” said Geniole.
As per the Encampment Protocol adopted by Chatham-Kent Council, unhoused persons are restricted from taking shelter on or within 100 metres of municipal playgrounds, water parks, splashpads, beaches, sports fields, elementary schools, childcare facilities, assisted living facilities, or a facility providing support or care services to youth or vulnerable populations. Bylaws also restrict unhoused individuals from sheltering within 10 metres of any private property line, in any actively used parking lot, and on any public-use building or structure.
Police officers, municipal housing staff, and R.O.C.K. outreach workers will be attending the encampment on July 14 to ensure the property has been vacated. Transportation will also be offered to those who need it.
“I think it’s stressful and it’s very traumatic for the people that are experiencing homelessness, so I’m not going to rule out that it’s not going to be a struggle for some people,” said Geniole. “No matter which way you look at it, we’re forcing them to go from one place to another.
“I hope it doesn’t come to anything hard-pressed.”
