Encampment residents in Cambridge's Soper Park could face fines, arrests, city says

A notice posted in Cambridge's Soper Park warns encampment residents that those who "dwell, camp or reside in a park" could face charges if they don't vacate under the Trespass to Property Act.  

"The priority has been to connect [residents] with safer, sustainable, and healthier housing alternatives, and ensure they were aware that remaining on the site is prohibited under the parks bylaw," said city spokesperson, Allison Jones, in an email statement. 

"Recently, the city issued a notice to these individuals, reminding them of their requirement to vacate the area. Those who fail to do so, will be in violation of the Trespass to Property Act and may be arrested or receive a fine."

There were reports that some of the Soper Park residents had congregated at the site following their removal from the former encampment at 150 Main St. last month. 

"The city's focus continues to be on assisting people in encampments and connecting them with the region's outreach team and more appropriate housing and community supports," Jones added.

"Together with our regional and community partners, we work towards long-term solutions for housing affordability."

The executive director of ACCKWA, Ruth Cameron, is concerned about displacing people experiencing homelessness regularly and said that when done, it makes it difficult to get them the services that they need.

"It also makes it challenging for individuals to remain connected within their communities of trusted individuals who are experiencing the same hardships that they are, who look out for one another to try and increase their safety and well-being," Cameron said. 

ACCKWA does outreach to this population alongside Sanguen Health Centre, Cameron explained. 

"It means that the teams at the organizations are spending more of their time on finding individuals, and less of the time on the actual specific supports that we can offer to those individuals," she said.  

Cameron said that they don't see sanctioned encampments as the "end solution," but as a level of "stability" until a proper solution is found, and questions where the municipality expects these people to go instead. 

"The city could refrain from constant displacement of the individuals," she said. "It is very dehumanizing, but it is also very dangerous. These are people who, needless to say, when someone is experiencing this level of marginalization, it has an impact on their health."