Region of Waterloo looks to change bylaw that could see Kitchener encampment residents out by April 1

The Region of Waterloo is looking to make changes to a bylaw that could see people living in an encampment at 100 Victoria St. N., in Kitchener moved by April 1.

The region passed a site specific bylaw in April 2025 with the goal to have the lot vacant by Dec. 1, 2025, as construction of the region's new transit hub is expected to begin this spring.

The bylaw is currently before a Kitchener judge with further hearing dates scheduled for Feb. 5, 6 and 27.

The region hopes to make the following amendments to the original bylaw:

The region said the transition process includes creating an individual housing plan for people at the encampment with "alternative accommodation, social service supports, transportation and storage for up to six months."

The region is set to get public input on the amendments during a meeting Wednesday night.

Lesley Crompton is among 11 people who signed up to delegate at the meeting.

Crompton has volunteered her time to work with people experiencing homelessness in the region by helping them through process of getting into a shelter or housed and by running a free tax clinic year round.

She said one of the main concerns she will raise with council is around finding alternative accommodations for people at the encampment and worries it will only meet the needs of a small group of people at the encampment.

"The reality is, come March 31, there will still be individuals living there," she told CBC News. "There's not enough shelter space, not enough supportive housing, transitional housing or deeply affordable housing for these individuals."

Crompton said the region needs to consider another area where an encampment area similar to the current encampment on Victoria Street could be set up.

Benny Skinner is also among those who will delegate Wednesday night. Skinner said one of the main issues they plan to raise is around why the region approved an additional $20 million for Waterloo Regional Police Service's budget, while people who are experiencing homelessness "are not having their basic needs met."

"If you didn't increase their budget by $20 million, all of the human beings who work for that service, they are still going to have salaries, homes, they're still going to have benefits and still afford their livelihoods," Skinner said, adding the region should be treating homelessness with more urgency.

Regional Chair Karen Redman told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition on Monday the region continues to work with people living at the encampment to get them housed.