‘Not a good investment’: Region taking control of A Better Tent City
Posted Jun 25, 2026 07:37:35 AM.
Last Updated Jun 25, 2026 10:57:48 AM.
The Region of Waterloo has approved plans to transition control and operations of A Better Tent City (ABTC) into their hands, alongside help from The Working Centre.
It’s a plan that will be actioned immediately, with the ABTC board set to dissolve on July 20 after losing key members of their volunteer base.
Regional council has approved multiple streams of funding, including $2.9 million for transitional operating costs, $2.8 million to expand access and strengthen housing solutions, and a one-time capital cost of $2.5 million for site infrastructure, including repairs or replacements to some of the tiny homes.
According to The Working Centre, efforts will be made to ensure that, while repairs and replacements are completed, residents will remain on site and not be displaced.
Approximately 55 people currently live on site at ABTC, regional staff say, with visitors allowed, many of whom allegedly use the site on a frequent basis, that number climbs closer to 100.
Delegates, some of whom live at one of the tiny homes at ABTC on Ardelt Avenue in Kitchener, took to council chambers on Wednesday to voice their opposition to this plan.
“I’m very worried for the people of A Better Tent City,” said Nadine Green, one of the founders and a resident of the site. “Some have already told me that, if things change too much, they will go back to living in the woods. I’m worried about the people who come by for a bite to eat, a shower, or a load of laundry.”
The ABTC board requested that the region step in and take control of the site due to “increasing challenges” related to health and safety. Fire and violence have been reported at ABTC on multiple occasions.
“These are people who have no concern for rules or living within the confines of being a community, which we all adhere to. That’s what keeps us from being a third-world country,” said Councillor Jan Liggett.
Opinions were mixed around the regional horseshoe, as councillors recognized that the site has become necessary because of the number of people who would be displaced if it ceased to exist, but also struggled with the monetary strains that it would put on their budgets moving forward.
“I believe we have to do our work to support those folks now, up until perhaps next budget, when we can find a better plan for them,” said Councillor Michael Harris. “At the cost at which we’re proposing today, it is just not a good investment, frankly.”
An amendment from Councillor Joe Gowing will make it so that this funding will not be automatically annualized, and that approvals will need to come from council during the 2027 budget process.
“It’s almost like, something happens in the community, come to the rich uncle or the rich aunt. It’s a lot,” said Councillor Colleen James.
Taking on responsibilities at ABTC has dramatically increased the region’s available emergency shelter spaces, up 12 per cent from just over 400 to more than 450.
The decision passed at council 12-2, with Councillors Natasha Salonen and Harris opposed.
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