The current encampment site at 325 Grand Avenue East is the most suitable location in Chatham-Kent, according to a report going to council Monday
In total, four areas in Chatham-Kent have been examined by administration as possible encampment spaces.
After Mayor Darrin Canniff called a special meeting on July 28 to discuss several changes to the municipality’s Encampment Protocol, the discussion on the distance an encampment should be located from private property was deferred to tonight’s meeting.
Thames Grove Conservation Area, the Water Tower Site on Richmond Street West, 325 Grand Avenue East, and the O’Neill Nature Preserve are identified in the report as possible options that meet the various distance requirements being discussed.
Council will determine the distance between an encampment and private property, with the report examining the pros and cons of each presented location at 10 metres, 25 metres, 50 metres, or 100 metres from private property.
According to the report, the Thames Grove Conservation Area meets all the setback distance requirements while providing adequate space. In the report by Kim Crew, CK’s Director of Housing Services, its location within a flood plain and a disc golf course impacts its selection.
Crew lists the Water Tower Site as a viable option since the area is open and usable, but its distance from essential social services significantly reduces its appeal.
The current location of the encampment, at 325 Grand Avenue East, was the one Crew determined in their report to be a fit as the site meets the distance rules at 10 and 25 metres while also having enough accessible space for people living there and for service providers who support them. In addition to not being on a flood plain, the setback could be increased to 50 meters while still allowing a smaller encampment space.
Administration suggests in the report that the O’Neill Nature Preserve (formerly known as Paxton’s Bush) be excluded from the analysis due to legal conditions limiting its use.
Council will also vote on a bylaw so that parameters identified within the Municipality’s Encampment Response Protocol can be enforced.
At the July 28 meeting, council passed Canniff’s other action points, which are included in the proposed new Encampment Response Protocol. These included:
- Collaborating with Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K.) to prioritize individuals for services and housing as they become available.
- Transitioning those experiencing homelessness to the new transitional cabins program.
- Administration to create a report on ways to reduce and end encampments.
- Explore local housing options that could be quickly converted to supportive housing.
- Amend the current encampment protocols to only allow one person per tent
- Hiring of additional bylaw enforcement officers
- CK police install CCTV cameras where operationally required
- Administration will present a report at the September 8 meeting on how to work with partners in the community to provide mental health, medical, and addiction support.
- Regular neighbourhood communication with residents and business owners in the encampment area.
Council will also vote on encampment bylaw enforcement from Royal Protective Services. The report states that the estimated costs associated with having two full-time security guards plus a vehicle until the end of 2026 are $215,121. This amount would be funded through the Housing Operations Reserve.
Crew writes, “If approved, administration will review and analyze bylaw enforcement needs throughout 2026 and will include recommendations within the 2027 municipal budget process as required.”
