Council seeks greater distances between homeless encampments and schools, homes, other sensitive sites
CTV
The number of locations where homeless encampments are permitted in London will get more restrictive after a long debate by members of city council.
The number of locations where homeless encampments are permitted in London will get more restrictive after a long debate by members of city council.
On Tuesday, the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (SPPC) spent more than two hours debating an updated Encampment Strategy after several members raised concern about minimum distances between tents and some sensitive land uses.
“For me 50 [metres] from an elementary school or a water park, that’s nowhere near sufficient,” said Coun. Steve Lehman.
The updated strategy includes safety protocols within encampments, a map of 14 parks/public spaces where tents will be subject to rapid removal, and a list of minimum setback distances.
A meandering series of motions, amendments, and referrals were put forward by members of council seeking to increase some of the recommended minimum distances.
“I came today to support greater distances. I’m willing to meet in the middle, but I don’t want to kick the can down the road,” said Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis.
“I want to be very careful that we don’t start using arbitrary numbers or creating a level of complexity that’s going to be difficult to enforce,” warned Coun. Sam Trosow.
