Region of Waterloo estimates 20 tents remain at Victoria Street encampment
Posted Jan 6, 2023 04:53:46 PM.
The Region of Waterloo estimates there are around 20 tents still standing at the encampment at 100 Victoria Street in Kitchener.
An eviction notice was issued for the site in June and at the time, there were over 60 tents and 50 residents.
Despite that notice, many stayed put — but it appears there has been a recent decline in the number of people living there.
In an e-mail statement to CityNews 570 this week, the region said it's currently estimated there are less than two dozen tents set up at the site right now and that some of them may not be occupied and might only be used for storage of belongings.
It comes as the region awaits a judicial decision on an injunction application to clear the encampment, which was contested by a lawyer representing the residents as they said it would be a violation of their charter rights.
“Our community partners continue to work from a service-first perspective offering shelter and other connections to supports and services as needed,” said ROW Assistant Director of Housing Operations and Administration, Kelly-Anne Salerno. “The region has also added additional shelter spaces into the system.”
A managed hybrid outdoor shelter is set to open on Erbs Road next month.
