Really? Ok, the option of warming buses as opposed to actually going to a shelter with a shelters rules for the homeless. Is that a common practice elsewhere also?
Homeless Tent Cities in Canada
- Thread starter Ron in Regina
- Start date
That subway car is still in service though, and going places, & doesn’t need its own driver & a security person per car as it sits there and idles for an entire shift though.
Don’t get me wrong as I’m not pro-“let people freeze to death” but I just think there’s got to be a better way & it does involve some personal responsibility on behalf of those that are seeking help.
Over 3,000 Saskatchewan Housing Corporation units vacant in the province
Standing in front of a vacant, boarded-up unit in Regina, NDP Leader Carla Beck said the Saskatchewan Housing ...
www.cjme.com
Every high school has gyms, showers, laundry and commercial kitchens.That subway car is still in service though, and going places, & doesn’t need its own driver & a security person per car as it sits there and idles for an entire shift though.
Don’t get me wrong as I’m not pro-“let people freeze to death” but I just think there’s got to be a better way & it does involve some personal responsibility on behalf of those that are seeking help.
Over 3,000 Saskatchewan Housing Corporation units vacant in the province
Standing in front of a vacant, boarded-up unit in Regina, NDP Leader Carla Beck said the Saskatchewan Housing ...
In Edmonton, we have a large coliseum that is sitting empty since the Oilers moved to the arena downtown. It would have washrooms & showers (hockey players shower after a game don't they?). It would cost a lot to revamp it but we're paying for all the homelessness anyway in money, crime, et al. Why not put funds into something that would actually benefit people? ( plus the LRT (train) runs right by it so it's easily accessible). Surely there must be some use for this monstrosity of a building, so why not for those who don't have a home? We waste so much money on things that aren't tangible like climate change that has always changed but building facilities for people to live in seems to be "more than we can afford?" This is idiocy at it's finest. Of course our "socialist city government" can't quite grasp this I guess.
That didn’t work so well in Houston after Hurricanes Rita & Katrina from what I recall. Think there was even a few murders there….But we where so busy during running RV’s for FEMA down to Louisiana and Florida and Texas that It’s all kind of blurry now.
Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the Louisiana Superdome - Wikipedia
10 Years Since Katrina: When The Astrodome Was A Mass Shelter | Houston Public Media
Earlier this year, Houston celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Astrodome. This month marks 10 years after the Dome's critical role in hosting evacuees from Hurricane Katrina.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
Well we need solutions & aren't getting any. I hear what you're saying but WTH? We need to do something for those people b4 winter hits or do they simply disappear down south for the winter?That didn’t work so well in Houston after Hurricanes Rita & Katrina from what I recall. Think there was even a few murders there….But we where so busy during running RV’s for FEMA down to Louisiana and Florida and Texas that It’s all kind of blurry now.
Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the Louisiana Superdome - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
10 Years Since Katrina: When The Astrodome Was A Mass Shelter | Houston Public Media
Earlier this year, Houston celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Astrodome. This month marks 10 years after the Dome's critical role in hosting evacuees from Hurricane Katrina.
I hear you, & can only speak on the local situation, with the spouse of one of our kids working in the building that’s City Hall. This camp started June 15th in front of City Hall & it’s July 27th now….so all of 43 days there or so…so far.
The tent city in front of City Hall will be discussed officially inside that building Thursday.
The City of Regina announced Wednesday a special city council meeting is to be held Thursday at 2 p.m., to consider a report on the homeless encampment that has been in the courtyard in front of City Hall since June.
The agenda for the meeting said city council would be asked to provide direction on “how to address the encampment in the short-term, given the challenges associated with the encampment continue to evolve.”
According to the agenda, council has a choice to make about the encampment’s future.
“The direction sought by Administration would, from the broadest point of view, fall into one of two categories: Either maintain the status quo through summer and fall or take additional/alternative actions specifically intended to expedite decommissioning of the camp,” the agenda said.
“The option to provide Administration with more specific direction related to either of those broad categories lies within Council’s discretion.”
The report said the city has paid $55,000 to date to cover the costs of additional security, service delivery and maintenance and repair. The report said the cost to the city is projected to be about $40,000 to $70,000 per month for as long as the encampment continues.
The encampment sprang up in June to raise awareness about homelessness in the city. The report said that as of Tuesday, there were 83 tents on the grounds of City Hall with a point-in-time head count of 28 people at the site.
The city has said the Regina Police Service and Regina Fire and Protective Services have done wellness checks and walkthroughs to make sure the residents are doing well. As well, city staff have been in touch with camp volunteers as the city tries to help those on the site.
On July 19, a woman died of a suspected drug overdose in the encampment. A candlelight vigil for Elisa (Lala) Tuckanow was held Monday night.
The agenda said 20 overdoses have been reported at the camp to date.
As well, the agenda said there have been 36 calls for service to police for complaints ranging from possible weapons on site to threats of violence to vandalism. The fire department has responded to two fires at the encampment.
www.cjme.com
According to the report, there have been 64 comments from residents about the tent city; 52 of those opposed the camp (including 11 from businesses or employees who had been “affected negatively by the encampment”). Nine commenters had suggestions or wanted to help the residents, and three were concerned about homelessness but didn’t support the camp.
The agenda also said the city had received 15 reports from staff members who expressed health and safety concerns about the camp or reported violence, thefts or drug use.
It noted that on Wednesday, park maintenance employees refused to work on the basis of “unusually dangerous” working conditions.
“Administration is now following its established process to respond and ensure employee safety is prioritized,” the report said. “This includes on-site counselling services now being provided to Parks Staff who have been affected.”
The report said a survey of City Hall employees had been done to see what impact the camp has had on them. Of the 399 respondents, 82 per cent said the tent city had negatively impacted their well-being.
“This likely reflects concerns with biohazards throughout the front property, firearms and other weapons onsite, and the inherent risk entering and exiting the building to report to work,” the agenda said.
“ For many employees, the encampment presents their first real exposure to people experiencing homelessness, along with the activities and impact of addictions and drug use. While their concerns may be disproportionate to the actual risks, the impact on their well-being is real.”
Delegations wanting to address council Thursday have to register with the Office of the City Clerk by 11 a.m., the release said. They can register by calling 306-777-7262 or emailing Clerks@Regina.ca and providing their full name and contact information.
“The Clerk has waived the requirement for written submissions from delegations for this meeting only,” the release said.
The tent city in front of City Hall will be discussed officially inside that building Thursday.
The City of Regina announced Wednesday a special city council meeting is to be held Thursday at 2 p.m., to consider a report on the homeless encampment that has been in the courtyard in front of City Hall since June.
The agenda for the meeting said city council would be asked to provide direction on “how to address the encampment in the short-term, given the challenges associated with the encampment continue to evolve.”
According to the agenda, council has a choice to make about the encampment’s future.
“The direction sought by Administration would, from the broadest point of view, fall into one of two categories: Either maintain the status quo through summer and fall or take additional/alternative actions specifically intended to expedite decommissioning of the camp,” the agenda said.
“The option to provide Administration with more specific direction related to either of those broad categories lies within Council’s discretion.”
The report said the city has paid $55,000 to date to cover the costs of additional security, service delivery and maintenance and repair. The report said the cost to the city is projected to be about $40,000 to $70,000 per month for as long as the encampment continues.
The encampment sprang up in June to raise awareness about homelessness in the city. The report said that as of Tuesday, there were 83 tents on the grounds of City Hall with a point-in-time head count of 28 people at the site.
The city has said the Regina Police Service and Regina Fire and Protective Services have done wellness checks and walkthroughs to make sure the residents are doing well. As well, city staff have been in touch with camp volunteers as the city tries to help those on the site.
On July 19, a woman died of a suspected drug overdose in the encampment. A candlelight vigil for Elisa (Lala) Tuckanow was held Monday night.
The agenda said 20 overdoses have been reported at the camp to date.
As well, the agenda said there have been 36 calls for service to police for complaints ranging from possible weapons on site to threats of violence to vandalism. The fire department has responded to two fires at the encampment.
Special city council meeting on City Hall encampment set for Thursday
The tent city in front of City Hall will be discussed officially inside that building Thursday. The City of Re...
www.cjme.com
The agenda also said the city had received 15 reports from staff members who expressed health and safety concerns about the camp or reported violence, thefts or drug use.
It noted that on Wednesday, park maintenance employees refused to work on the basis of “unusually dangerous” working conditions.
“Administration is now following its established process to respond and ensure employee safety is prioritized,” the report said. “This includes on-site counselling services now being provided to Parks Staff who have been affected.”
The report said a survey of City Hall employees had been done to see what impact the camp has had on them. Of the 399 respondents, 82 per cent said the tent city had negatively impacted their well-being.
“This likely reflects concerns with biohazards throughout the front property, firearms and other weapons onsite, and the inherent risk entering and exiting the building to report to work,” the agenda said.
“ For many employees, the encampment presents their first real exposure to people experiencing homelessness, along with the activities and impact of addictions and drug use. While their concerns may be disproportionate to the actual risks, the impact on their well-being is real.”
Delegations wanting to address council Thursday have to register with the Office of the City Clerk by 11 a.m., the release said. They can register by calling 306-777-7262 or emailing Clerks@Regina.ca and providing their full name and contact information.
“The Clerk has waived the requirement for written submissions from delegations for this meeting only,” the release said.
I just heard Masters on the radio saying she needs a solution.I hear you, & can only speak on the local situation, with the spouse of one of our kids working in the building that’s City Hall. This camp started June 15th in front of City Hall & it’s July 27th now….so all of 43 days there or so…so far.
The tent city in front of City Hall will be discussed officially inside that building Thursday.
The City of Regina announced Wednesday a special city council meeting is to be held Thursday at 2 p.m., to consider a report on the homeless encampment that has been in the courtyard in front of City Hall since June.
The agenda for the meeting said city council would be asked to provide direction on “how to address the encampment in the short-term, given the challenges associated with the encampment continue to evolve.”
According to the agenda, council has a choice to make about the encampment’s future.
“The direction sought by Administration would, from the broadest point of view, fall into one of two categories: Either maintain the status quo through summer and fall or take additional/alternative actions specifically intended to expedite decommissioning of the camp,” the agenda said.
“The option to provide Administration with more specific direction related to either of those broad categories lies within Council’s discretion.”
The report said the city has paid $55,000 to date to cover the costs of additional security, service delivery and maintenance and repair. The report said the cost to the city is projected to be about $40,000 to $70,000 per month for as long as the encampment continues.
The encampment sprang up in June to raise awareness about homelessness in the city. The report said that as of Tuesday, there were 83 tents on the grounds of City Hall with a point-in-time head count of 28 people at the site.
The city has said the Regina Police Service and Regina Fire and Protective Services have done wellness checks and walkthroughs to make sure the residents are doing well. As well, city staff have been in touch with camp volunteers as the city tries to help those on the site.
On July 19, a woman died of a suspected drug overdose in the encampment. A candlelight vigil for Elisa (Lala) Tuckanow was held Monday night.
The agenda said 20 overdoses have been reported at the camp to date.
As well, the agenda said there have been 36 calls for service to police for complaints ranging from possible weapons on site to threats of violence to vandalism. The fire department has responded to two fires at the encampment.
According to the report, there have been 64 comments from residents about the tent city; 52 of those opposed the camp (including 11 from businesses or employees who had been “affected negatively by the encampment”). Nine commenters had suggestions or wanted to help the residents, and three were concerned about homelessness but didn’t support the camp.Special city council meeting on City Hall encampment set for Thursday
The tent city in front of City Hall will be discussed officially inside that building Thursday. The City of Re...
The agenda also said the city had received 15 reports from staff members who expressed health and safety concerns about the camp or reported violence, thefts or drug use.
It noted that on Wednesday, park maintenance employees refused to work on the basis of “unusually dangerous” working conditions.
“Administration is now following its established process to respond and ensure employee safety is prioritized,” the report said. “This includes on-site counselling services now being provided to Parks Staff who have been affected.”
The report said a survey of City Hall employees had been done to see what impact the camp has had on them. Of the 399 respondents, 82 per cent said the tent city had negatively impacted their well-being.
“This likely reflects concerns with biohazards throughout the front property, firearms and other weapons onsite, and the inherent risk entering and exiting the building to report to work,” the agenda said.
“ For many employees, the encampment presents their first real exposure to people experiencing homelessness, along with the activities and impact of addictions and drug use. While their concerns may be disproportionate to the actual risks, the impact on their well-being is real.”
Delegations wanting to address council Thursday have to register with the Office of the City Clerk by 11 a.m., the release said. They can register by calling 306-777-7262 or emailing Clerks@Regina.ca and providing their full name and contact information.
“The Clerk has waived the requirement for written submissions from delegations for this meeting only,” the release said.
I have a solution. A firehose.
Well, that or mandatory rehab, followed by?
So in 43 days, there’s be 20 “reported” overdoses and one death, 2 fires that needed the fire department out, 36 call outs for the police, $55000.00 in security costs so far, and the surrounding businesses are closing early daily so their staff can get away from the area before the camp residents get too active? Aren’t most of surrounding businesses government or NGO’s like the YMCA or YWCA? Park Maintenance Workers are now refusing to go through & clean up after these happy campers for safety reasons, & I’m told that everywhere around there is being used as a toilet by all, with the ground being the disposal area for the used needles & general waste and garbage. Thankfully we’re at a time that water bills can be paid online.
The Mayor & Council have had six weeks to do something or anything so far, as have the camp residents. If personnel responsibility isn’t happening, then it’s time for decisions to be made for the campers…
Wanna have some fun? Lets get a case of Naloxone, go to the encampment and randomly bring junkies down.
Just said on the radio that todays fire was the third fire in the last five days.
www.cjme.com
Several dozen people stood around Regina City Hall on Thursday afternoon, their faces showing many different emotions.
Some looked on in bewilderment, while others expressed anger, shock and sorrow.
Volunteers and residents of the City Hall encampment had been told to gather their belongings and leave the area. Fire Chief Layne Jackson said they had 24 hours to do so during a news conference Thursday.
Well….we’ll see…
“I feel like (these are) totally wrong tactics of dealing with homeless people who don’t do nothing,” said Darlene Shepherd, a Regina woman who’s had multiple experiences with homelessness.
“We’re just trying to show that they need homes. What is so wrong with that?”
Jackson said the camp was an imminent risk to safety and ordered it to be taken down after a Thursday morning fire destroyed one tent.
“(City officials) already know the issue by seeing us and they didn’t want to take us into the meeting because they’re afraid,” Shepherd said.
Shepherd said she doesn’t plan to leave.
Well, it’ll be interesting. Fodder for Instagram & Reddit Regina, & maybe YouTube & some memes….
“As far as I’m concerned, they’re going to have to drag me out of here,” she said. “I’m standing up for people who are vulnerable.”
Craig Alexson also said he’s not planning to leave.
“Are these police going to come and shake us down?” Alexson said. “Are they going to take us out of the camp? Why are the police here?
“We’re just trying to live here. We’re not doing anything bad or anything. I just want to know what’s going on.”
Volunteer Mandla Mthembu was at the site when people were told to pack it up over safety concerns.
Mthembu had signed up to be a delegate for the special city council meeting that was scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. The meeting was cancelled due to a lack of quorum.
“We obviously were kind of really confused, especially if (the issue with the camp) was about safety,” Mthembu said. “It doesn’t seem like a safe way to disperse and they didn’t co-ordinate with us or tell us beforehand.”
Mthembu felt people at the encampment were given too short notice.
“People here aren’t prepared to go anywhere; they have nowhere safe to go,” Mthembu said. “So if there’s a safety protocol issue, that’s not very safe to tell people to go into the streets.”
Jackson said Regina Fire and Protective Services has been working with Social Services as well as community-based organizations to be on site to “provide some opportunities and alternatives for folks.”
However, Mthembu voiced doubts over the efficacy of such actions.
“The timeline in my opinion doesn’t really make sense,” Mthembu said. “I’ve been here since June 15 and we’ve been discussing with services and discussing with different shelters and outreach organizations and it seems like most places are full.
“Most places are having a tough time with intake and from the Social Services side of things, if there was housing and available shelter space for people, I feel like those people would be getting that access right now.”
Mthembu said it seems unlikely that the city will accomplish more in one day than it has previously been able to do over longer periods of time.
Mayor Sandra Masters said she had reached out to six individual council members and none of them had any interest in attending Thursday’s planned special meeting. Ward 6 Coun. Dan LeBlanc was at the encampment after hearing of the order to take it down.
He said he sent an email to the city clerk asking who the six councillors were.
He said it was a “substantively wrong” decision to kick out people who had nowhere else to go.
“I think it’s desperate, LeBlanc said. “People are here at City Hall because they’re desperate. I don’t think this is anyone’s Plan A, and I think the threat of being moved from your only last marginally viable option makes for a really desperate circumstance.”
LeBlanc said this situation is being mishandled by Regina police and the city.
“I think this sort of action undermines our credibility when we talk about things like community well-being, mental health and addictions treatment and reconciliation,” LeBlanc said.
“I think the left hand is speaking in a way that the right hand can’t account for here. It’s a bit embarrassing, actually, to be associated with the city, with the organization that’s taking away the only partial shelter these most vulnerable people have. It’s shameful.”
City Hall, the City Parks, etc….are paid for by ALL the taxpayers, and are there for ALL the taxpayers, residents, etc…& not to be hijacked to become a no-go zone for 99%+ of the residents of the city. I don’t know what the answer is, but squatting and shitting and camping and tossing your used needles around isn’t the answer.
‘It’s shameful:’ LeBlanc, residents react to removal of encampment
Several dozen people stood around Regina City Hall on Thursday afternoon, their faces showing many different e...
www.cjme.com
Some looked on in bewilderment, while others expressed anger, shock and sorrow.
Volunteers and residents of the City Hall encampment had been told to gather their belongings and leave the area. Fire Chief Layne Jackson said they had 24 hours to do so during a news conference Thursday.
Well….we’ll see…
“I feel like (these are) totally wrong tactics of dealing with homeless people who don’t do nothing,” said Darlene Shepherd, a Regina woman who’s had multiple experiences with homelessness.
“We’re just trying to show that they need homes. What is so wrong with that?”
Jackson said the camp was an imminent risk to safety and ordered it to be taken down after a Thursday morning fire destroyed one tent.
“(City officials) already know the issue by seeing us and they didn’t want to take us into the meeting because they’re afraid,” Shepherd said.
Shepherd said she doesn’t plan to leave.
Well, it’ll be interesting. Fodder for Instagram & Reddit Regina, & maybe YouTube & some memes….
“As far as I’m concerned, they’re going to have to drag me out of here,” she said. “I’m standing up for people who are vulnerable.”
Craig Alexson also said he’s not planning to leave.
“Are these police going to come and shake us down?” Alexson said. “Are they going to take us out of the camp? Why are the police here?
“We’re just trying to live here. We’re not doing anything bad or anything. I just want to know what’s going on.”
Volunteer Mandla Mthembu was at the site when people were told to pack it up over safety concerns.
Mthembu had signed up to be a delegate for the special city council meeting that was scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. The meeting was cancelled due to a lack of quorum.
“We obviously were kind of really confused, especially if (the issue with the camp) was about safety,” Mthembu said. “It doesn’t seem like a safe way to disperse and they didn’t co-ordinate with us or tell us beforehand.”
Mthembu felt people at the encampment were given too short notice.
“People here aren’t prepared to go anywhere; they have nowhere safe to go,” Mthembu said. “So if there’s a safety protocol issue, that’s not very safe to tell people to go into the streets.”
Jackson said Regina Fire and Protective Services has been working with Social Services as well as community-based organizations to be on site to “provide some opportunities and alternatives for folks.”
However, Mthembu voiced doubts over the efficacy of such actions.
“The timeline in my opinion doesn’t really make sense,” Mthembu said. “I’ve been here since June 15 and we’ve been discussing with services and discussing with different shelters and outreach organizations and it seems like most places are full.
“Most places are having a tough time with intake and from the Social Services side of things, if there was housing and available shelter space for people, I feel like those people would be getting that access right now.”
Mthembu said it seems unlikely that the city will accomplish more in one day than it has previously been able to do over longer periods of time.
Mayor Sandra Masters said she had reached out to six individual council members and none of them had any interest in attending Thursday’s planned special meeting. Ward 6 Coun. Dan LeBlanc was at the encampment after hearing of the order to take it down.
He said he sent an email to the city clerk asking who the six councillors were.
He said it was a “substantively wrong” decision to kick out people who had nowhere else to go.
“I think it’s desperate, LeBlanc said. “People are here at City Hall because they’re desperate. I don’t think this is anyone’s Plan A, and I think the threat of being moved from your only last marginally viable option makes for a really desperate circumstance.”
LeBlanc said this situation is being mishandled by Regina police and the city.
“I think this sort of action undermines our credibility when we talk about things like community well-being, mental health and addictions treatment and reconciliation,” LeBlanc said.
“I think the left hand is speaking in a way that the right hand can’t account for here. It’s a bit embarrassing, actually, to be associated with the city, with the organization that’s taking away the only partial shelter these most vulnerable people have. It’s shameful.”
City Hall, the City Parks, etc….are paid for by ALL the taxpayers, and are there for ALL the taxpayers, residents, etc…& not to be hijacked to become a no-go zone for 99%+ of the residents of the city. I don’t know what the answer is, but squatting and shitting and camping and tossing your used needles around isn’t the answer.
Drove by City Hall with one of the Grandkids tonight. Eight police officers on the sidewalk, standing in a group, waiting.
Busy place. 24hr notice to move. I think they’re on Fire/OD/smashing windows watch. Be interesting tomorrow.
Busy place. 24hr notice to move. I think they’re on Fire/OD/smashing windows watch. Be interesting tomorrow.
They proven they need drugs more than they need a home. On average Im woken by firetrucks 3 times a night. 3 less homes a day because another 3 junkies fucked up.
One the radio a few minutes ago, they say they had a reporter check in on the Camp at city hall. Down to two police officers standing on the sidewalk on Smith Street watching the encampment where everyone is still asleep. Described is as “a sea of broken beer bottles, cans, and cigarette butts with a heavy scent of urine, faeces, garbage, cigarette smoke in the air”….so, what is a broken beer bottle worth for a deposit?
Mentioned that today is moving day with a deadline of “sometime in the afternoon”…& that “City Hall is closed today until sometime after the encampment is removed” but no mention as to what residential park this will move into, exporting the problem to where there are more children, etc….???
Mentioned that today is moving day with a deadline of “sometime in the afternoon”…& that “City Hall is closed today until sometime after the encampment is removed” but no mention as to what residential park this will move into, exporting the problem to where there are more children, etc….???
