Ross adds that the spread of COVID-19 is also a serious concern in encampments. Since April 2020, nearly 1,700 people staying in encampments have been referred to indoor, city-run spaces. The city has maintained that encampments are not a solution for homelessness as there could be serious health outcomes for individuals who live outdoors. I’ve seen from personal experience that they’re threatened with arrest so the options are ‘do I go to jail or do I go to a congregate setting where I don’t feel safe?’"Īs of Tuesday evening, 12 encampment residents at Trinity Bellwoods had agreed to move into city-run shelters. "Data has shown that shelter violence has increased in the last year so why would people want to go there? So there definitely will be people who won’t want to go and will stay in the parks. Lam adds that many residents would rather live in encampments instead of facing violence at shelters. My understanding from everyone I’ve heard from is there are not enough shelter spaces even with softening lockdown there still are not enough shelter spaces for the huge number of homeless people in Toronto," Sue said. "I think they know that they’re absolutely mistaken, that it’s safer moving into shelters. “We want to house people and having people come inside is the first step in ensuring that people can get safe, affordable housing,” he said.Īn encampment resident who goes by the name Sue has lived at Trinity Bellwoods for 10 months and told CP24 that living in city-run shelters is not a safer option. Ross said the goal is to get residents experiencing homelessness into affordable homes. The city said there are more than 6,000 shelter spaces available in Toronto. The city is encouraging encampment residents to seek temporary shelter at city-run indoor spaces where they’ll have access to meals, harm reduction, physical and mental health supports and a housing worker. "I don’t make decisions about when laws are enforced in any regard in the city, those decisions are made by enforcement officials but I support what they’re doing." "There does come a time when you have to move to make sure that those people are kept safe and kept healthy and that the parks are available for use by all of the people who those parks belong to, everybody in the City of Toronto," he said at a news conference Tuesday morning. Mayor John Tory said he supports the removal of the encampment. “A lot of the demonstrators that arrived, they come in the morning when they found out and they're there just to obstruct and interfere.” “Those parks have been unable to be used by residents in the community so it's been something well known that the city was taking a position on to find suitable housing for our vulnerable people,” Ramer said. Interim Police Chief James Ramer told reporters Tuesday afternoon that some of those who demonstrated were just there “to interfere.” We’ve counted over 100 police officers there and three bus loads of private security," she said. The way that the city is approaching is really violent. "I think that health and safety, the way that the city is framing it is very narrow, they’re not actually offering people really adequate spaces. And so today we are exercising the city's right, in fact the courts agreed last fall that the city can enforce its parks bylaw where camps aren’t permitted,” he said.Ĭommunity outreach worker Lorraine Lam said the city is using violence to make the residents leave. “More than 20,000 times in fact since the start of the pandemic to encourage people to come inside where it is safer. And we have been engaging with people living in encampments continually,” Ross said. “At some point, you know, when we issue a trespass notice we have to enforce it. Ross said the city decided to enforce the trespass rules now after countless attempts to offer the residents alternative indoor accommodations. There are an estimated 20 to 25 people living in the encampment with approximately 65 structures at the park, according to the city. The difference here is that they cannot set up tents and cabins.” “Parks need to be accessible and safe, and available for all residents of the city, including people who are experiencing homelessness. “Camping in city parks is unsafe and it is not permitted, frankly, under city bylaws,” city spokesperson Brad Ross told CP24 Tuesday morning. The city said all other personal items would be collected and stored for up to 30 days for future pickup. Residents were told that they must vacate the park this morning and were given time to pack two bags of belongings.
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