Homeless encampments have been a hot-button issue in a number of Ontario municipalities recently, and Chatham-Kent is no exception.
A report from a municipal committee will be presented to council at tonight’s meeting, on the need to develop a step-by-step protocol for a consistent and coordinated approach to addressing encampments on private and municipal-owned land.
With the increase in homelessness in recent years, there has been an increase in calls to police and municipal staff to move encampments, while available shelter beds and motel rooms have decreased.
This combination has led to a lack of solutions for unhoused residents of Chatham-Kent.
The report aims to balance the rights of the unhoused residents and nearby neighbours and businesses.
The report used legal precedents set through court cases regarding encampments on municipal land in other Ontario municipalities to create a protocol.
