homeless encampments (credit: flickr)
A new system response is being proposed to get homeless people out of encampments and into housing.
A meeting will be taking place on Thursday, May 23, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the East Lions Community Centre. The meeting is for community engagement and will have a period for asking questions and sharing feedback.
The system’s main focuses are encampment protocols, transformational outreach, and transactional outreach, according to Health and Homelessness in London at getinvolved.london.ca.
Encampment protocols:
-Human trafficking or any illegal associated activity is not tolerated. Any evidence of human trafficking observed within the encampment, will be reported.
-Intimidation, physical violence, or threats of physical violence towards neighboring tents, community residents, or staff providing services will not be tolerated.
– Brandishing weapons or firearms towards other neighboring tents, community residents, or staff providing services will not be tolerated.
– Pets must be on a leash when outside a tent/structure. A muzzle is required if the pet is known to be violent.
-No open fires or combustibles are permitted in camps.
-No used, uncapped needles in or around the site. Sharps containers must be used for disposal. No large amounts of garbage, food remains or evidence of hoarding.
homeless (credit: flickr)
-No minors (under 16) are to be permitted to reside in the encampment. If minors are observed residing in the camp, they are to be reported to CAS.
-No more than six tents and/or structures regardless of occupants in the camp.
-Tents cannot be located near a playground, pathway, open area of play, or on a flood plain, river embankments, roadways, private property, sidewalks or bus shelters, according to Health and Homelessness in London at getinvolved.london.ca.
Transformational outreach:
Providing case management to individuals living with complex needs and working to help individuals with complex needs access services and navigate the larger system within London, so they can move out of encampments and into shelters, hubs, or highly supportive housing, according to Health and Homelessness in London at getinvolved.london.ca.
Transactional outreach:
Focused primarily on street outreach organizations engaging briefly with people in living encampments for wellness checks, harm reduction support where applicable, and to provide essential items such as food, water, personal supplies and other basic human rights, according to Health and Homelessness in London at getinvolved.london.ca.
Georgia Newman, XFM News.
