As Hamilton seeks public input on encampments, it's getting those living in tents outside city hall to leave

While the city seeks public input on its approach to encampments, police look to enforce trespass notices, prompting many of the residents who had pitched tents behind city hall in recent months to pack up and leave. 

Friday, about half of encampment residents near Whitehern Historic House and Garden had left. Others were sorting through their belongings as outreach workers and a police officer stood nearby. 

The city said trespass notices were issued on May 25 following "some violent incidents" near the encampment including an assault on a member of the public, a stabbing and reports of flammable materials.

"Police are focused on trying to gain compliance with the orders rather than enforcement at this point," said Dan Smith, licensing and bylaw manager, in an email. 

Meanwhile, the city is seeking feedback from the public about how to approach encampments through an online survey. Outreach workers are offering paper copies of the survey to encampment residents, housing director Michelle Baird said.  

The city is considering creating sanctioned encampment sites — designated areas with social supports where people experiencing homelessness would be allowed to live in tents. It's also developing a protocol or set of rules for where people can live outside of sanctioned sites. 

The survey closes on June 30 and staff will report back to council with recommendations in August. 

Encampments only option right now: advocate

Despite the city's housing initiatives, most if not all encampment residents continue to experience homelessness with no relief in sight, said Ahona Mehdi, a member of the Hamilton Encampment Support Network.

"They're just being asked to move from encampment to encampment," Mehdi told CBC Hamilton. "An assumption can be made that they're being told to go somewhere less visible." 

For months, dozens of people have lived in tents in the laneway and parking lot that borders the city's Whitehern Historic House and Garden. Residents of the encampment were served with voluntary compliance notices in early May as well.

Last week, police increased their presence at the encampment, making residents uncomfortable and prompting many to leave, said Mehdi. 

"They're acting like they're offering support but it seems like coercion," she said. "Both the city and cops are trying to displace people through implicit ways." 

Shelter spaces offered: city housing director

Street outreach workers with a focus on housing have gone to the encampment four to five times a week since the beginning of March to build relationships and connect residents with city services, said Smith. 

Baird said when spaces open up in shelters, outreach workers have and will continue to offer them to encampment residents. 

She could not say how many encampment residents have been housed, but noted staff will begin reporting that data to the general issue committee starting this week.

Hamilton's homeless population has remained over 1,500 people since December 2021. As of April, city data showed 1,615 people were experiencing homelessness.

In recent years, the city says it has taken a "housing first" approach, meaning people need a permanent, stable home regardless of substance use or mental health challenges. 

However, Mehdi said for people experiencing homelessness, not much has changed. 

"Folks don't have the things they need to survive — that has remained consistent," she said.