Those living in Chatham’s largest homeless encampment will soon be forced to relocate to allow for planned structural improvements along the Thames River.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent said the unhoused persons who are sheltering at 12 Thames St. have been notified that they must vacate the area by July 14 for “safety reasons,” ahead of slope stabilization work that is slated to begin in the fall.
“The municipality acknowledges the sensitivity of this situation and is committed to working with encampment residents and community partners to provide outreach and support, while also advancing a critical infrastructure project that will protect downtown Chatham over the long term,” the municipality said in a news release.
The infrastructure project has been in the planning stages since 2024, with work expected to take place along the north-west side of the Thames River between Third Street and Fifth Street. The project will be partially funded through the federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.
Police officers, accompanied by municipal housing staff and ROCK Missions outreach workers, will be attending the encampment on July 14 to respectfully remove remaining tenants from the site. The municipality is working with community partners, including ROCK Missions, to ensure those living in the encampment have the support they need.
Services for those experiencing homelessness are currently available through Victoria Park Place, and the municipality’s Transitional Cabins Project is slated to open in August of this year.
