Potential encampment ban sparks concern among vulnerable community and advocates

A tent and tarps are pictured in Barrie, Ont. (CTV News/Alessandra Carneiro)

For eight years, Crystal Monahan found what she called her sense of safety in a tent encampment. While struggling with homelessness and addiction, she said she often fell through the cracks of the shelter system.

“The shelters are full so you know, you can sit and wait and hope that a bed becomes available but it's now 10 at night, where do you go?” she questioned.

Monahan's tent became her refuge, so when she learned that Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, along with other mayors, had written to the premier asking to invoke the notwithstanding clause, which, if approved, could give municipalities the ability to prohibit encampments, she was shocked.

“Where does he expect us to go if we cannot put a tent up somewhere, safe to stay out of the rain or the snow then what? Where? What do they expect?” asked Monahan.

Those sentiments are shared by advocates on the frontlines who welcome expanding mental health care support, but say more funding is needed to make room for people.

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At The Lighthouse, a shelter in Orillia, staff said they expect an influx of arrivals if tents are dismantled.

“Shelters are full and so, what next? So, then a lot of that pressure comes down on to the social services where we're actually underfunded and understaffed. So how do we continue to keep up?” said Linda Goodall, executive director of The Lighthouse.

In a statement to CTV News, the County of Simcoe addressed the mayor's calls.

"In consultation with the City of Barrie, we continue to open additional spaces, including motel spaces, for people to come indoors and to get help with finding housing. The County has also expanded access to indoor spaces through the activation of our Alternate Spaces Strategy, which allows for increased capacity in the shelter system."

The County added that it's working to expand its rapid rehousing programs; however, questions remain on what it will mean for the most vulnerable still waiting outdoors.

“We definitely know that there's not going to be housing tomorrow. And there are people who are struggling in encampments across the city today, and not just our city, but cities across our nation. So, you know, this isn't just a Barrie-centric thing,” said Sarah Peddle, executive director of the Busby Centre.

This week city councillors learned how $10 million dollars in funding for affordable housing would be divided up, with the money going to six different affordable housing projects.

According to the staff memo, interest in the program was high.

Staff selected a total of six applications to split the $10 million dollars between:

• Proposed development by SkyDev co. Inc. on Grove Street West
• Proposed development by JD Development Group on Lakeside Terrace
•  Proposed development by the County of Simcoe on Rose Street
• Proposed development by Camphill Foundation on Park Street
• Proposed development by YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka on Bayview Drive

It’s a positive step for housing, but the projects will take time to come to fruition, leaving those on the streets seeking somewhere safe and warm to stay in the meantime.