Encampment Response

All persons in the community including people living in encampments will be treated with dignity and respect and be actively involved in the decisions that directly affect them.

The City does not want to see citizens live outdoors. Our goal is to move people indoors to safe housing while respecting the rights and dignity of those living outdoors with no other options.

The term encampment refers to emergency accommodations established by individuals who are unhoused, usually on public property or privately owned land. It is often our most vulnerable community members who are living and existing in encampments - some visible, some hidden, but all in crisis and in need of our compassion and support.

The municipality appreciates that encampments are not a solution to homelessness. Encampments are growing across the nation; shelters and social services are stretched beyond capacity. Complex social and economic factors impact the cost of living including housing, rental prices and availability.

The City of Kawartha Lakes is committed to working towards permanent solutions and supporting those living outdoors and in encampments to find stable, safe indoor options. Permanent, adequate, affordable and supportive housing with dedicated health supports is the solution. We will continue to advocate to higher levels of government to provide additional funds and programming to address the complex needs in our community.

The City has developed and adopted fair guidelines that will allow encampments of limited sizes on public property. Sites are supported by trained Homelessness Outreach workers who provide referrals, and develop housing plans and goals with those living in encampments. The response will provide consistency and structure for those who are unhoused by creating limitations and expectations for encampments.

The following are the various phases of encampment Response:

•    Phase 1 – Identification of a new encampment
•    Phase 2 – Initial engagement – The City’s Outreach Team will visit the site within two business days.
•    Phase 3 – Ongoing engagement and monitoring
•    Phase 4 – Imminent or active relocation to shelter or housing, resulting in the encampment being cleared.
•    Compliance Phase – A situation occurs that requires an escalated response
•    Enforcement Phase – Enforcement of City parks use By-Law has been ordered which will result in the encampment stayer being removed and the encampment cleared

Since readily available shelter and housing options are often not available, we cannot commit to specific timelines associated with clearing encampments.

Our hope is that the City’s encampment response will be short-term until more housing is built. We believe our community is unified and committed to ending homelessness and ensuring that every resident’s human rights are respected and each person is treated with dignity.

The municipality thanks our community for the compassionate response towards individuals living in encampments. Please do not drop items directly at encampment sites. This may create enforcement issues for people living there. The City recommends donations of appropriate items (blankets, food, warm clothing) be directed to the local emergency shelter (A Place Called Home), service agencies and food banks. This ensures safe storage and distribution to individuals in need of the services.

Visit our Unity and Community page for more information on how to help those who are unhoused.

Coordinated response teams work with encampment residents to help them transition indoors. Each situation is unique and timelines and progress may vary. All departments across the City are committed to working with those who are unsheltered to find safe and permanent solutions.

To report an Encampment or share information regarding people living outdoors, please Complete an Encampment Reporting Form or email the Homelessness Street Outreach Team.

For all general questions or information regarding encampments, please e-mail the Homelessness Street Outreach Team or call 705-324-9870 and request to speak with the Homelessness team.