A bylaw to clear Kitchener encampment may come with a silver lining
Posted Apr 24, 2025 04:24:32 PM.
Last Updated Apr 24, 2025 04:28:33 PM.
The Region of Waterloo has passed a motion to create a bylaw to allow for the removal of the homeless encampment at 100 Victoria St. N.
Nineteen delegates addressed council prior to the vote on Wednesday night, advocating the region find another solution, but the motion passed with one vote in opposition.
The region has been trying to clear the encampment for years, to make way for the construction of a massive new transit hub. But earlier efforts were found to be in violation of the residents’ charter rights. That ruling was handed down in 2023 by the Ontario Superior Court.
Joe Mancini, Director, The Working Centre in Kitchener, told 570 NewsRadio this move by the region shouldn’t come as a surprise.
“It’s been some time now, and the region has warned that the encampment would be ending. So, it is reasonable that the region works with those individuals and has a plan for each individual to find an alternative arrangement.”
A plan was included in the bylaw stating the region would help find a place for the residents in either supportive housing or in a temporary motel. The motion included a request for $800,000 in funding for the initiative.
Mancini admits that these encampments can become make-shift communities, but they are harsh communities, so finding alternate places to stay will be a positive in the end.
“The alternatives, maybe, are never perfect, but they do afford individuals new accommodations, new opportunities. Yes, the community that’s established gets disrupted, but then new opportunities also develop.”
He said providing access to additional services through supportive housing or temporary hotels might be the touchpoint some individuals need to break the cycle of homelessness.
Mancini points out, the move won’t happen all at once.
“The region is creating a process that is going to be over six months. That does create time to create these alternatives. The idea is that there is 36 individuals there right now and that group will be offered these kinds of opportunities.”
The region has set a deadline of Dec. 1 this year for the encampment to be cleared.
