In the Summer of 2021, during Provence wide lockdowns due to Covid-19, the City of Toronto experienced one of the largest displays of anti-homelessness in recent memory. The encampment clearing of Trinity Bellwood Park in particular saw more then 150 police officers accessorised with rifles, tasers, and bullet proof vests descend on an encampment of nearly 30 people. To some, this encounter showed a gross display of police force that was unnecessary, and discriminatory, while others see the clearings as necessary, fearing that the encampments are a danger to public safety. Those who were evicted from their tents in the summer are still feeling the repercussions as the winter months have arrived and they still have nowhere to go.
City officials have been encouraging evictees to make their way to the cities' homeless shelters. I spoke with Kathleen Mitchell, a community shelter worker with the organization “Homes First”. She offered us more of an inside look at how our comunities shelters run. “Homes First is a referral only shelter. Clients will get referred to us by “Streets to homes” which is a city run agency that was involved in the encampment clearings. Our Delta shelter which is one of the buildings the evictees were rerouted to has a capacity of 290 which we currently are at, and due to Covid-19 shelter capacities significantly decreased, and with the lack of alternatives currently available, these encampments are a necessity for many of the individuals that are currently unhoused in Toronto. Not only are significantly less beds available, but many individuals feel unsafe in the shelter system due to the various outbreaks during this pandemic. This is a public health issue and a major safety concern, especially in these winter months.” Says Mitchell. Shelter Data found on Toronto.ca is suggesting it has 6,514 temporary spaces for what they estimate as 8,300 people in need of housing. Though Mitchell says, “Industry professionals believe the homeless population in Toronto is closer to 10,000”.
Overcrowding in these shelters lead to what many people believe to be an even more dangerous living situation then Encampment living, and “A large number of the people cleared at the encampment never made it to a shelter” according to Mitchell. Where the constant threat of violence, police presence, drug temptation, and issues of uncleanliness resulting in bedbugs are just some of many reasons why shelter residence often choose to eventually, return to pitching tents in parks. Mitchell seemed not shocked by the homeless populations choice to stay in the park.” Shelter deaths are at an all-time high in Toronto so many encampment residents don’t see them as a viable living option. The number of shelter deaths have more than doubled in the last two years. Data from toronto.ca shows that in 2019 there were 48 deaths on shelter property, in 2020 there were 74 deaths and as of September 2021 we have had 96 deaths in Toronto shelters.” When I asked Mitchell why this is she said “There are a lot of variables that contribute to it but firstly with all the Covid Hotels we are seeing pop up around the city clients are being sent to isolation rooms without their preferred substance, which leads to intense withdrawals which in serious cases can result in death. Drugs laced with fentanyl and car fentanyl are in high circulation and with their extreme addictive quality overdoses have been more frequent.”
Some feel as though these encampment clearings are necessary for public safety. Mayor John Tory has been quoted as saying “Encampments are illegal and unsafe – we are working to bring people inside where they can get help and where we can help them find more permanent housing options.” The Municipal government says they are working right now to make sure they build supportive housing where housing and support services are provided to homeless residents. Approximately 1,300 affordable housing opportunities including 798 affordable rental homes are currently in the works for the city of Toronto, but unfortunately there are currently over 78,000 applicants for social supporting housing units now. A common criticism of the encampment clearings other than the overly large police presents is how much these clearings actually cost. The city has confirmed an estimated $2 million was spent to carry them out. Money that could theoretically have gone into funding for social supporting housing and public social programs.
Fires are one of the largest safety concerns you will hear when in discussion of these encampment sites. The City has said Toronto Fire Services responded to 253 encampment fires in 2020, but it is relevant to mention that these statistics includes fires where there was no property damage and there were no injuries. While talking about this Mitchell said “I’ve spoken with fire fighters at the shelter who have said the amount of times they have been called to encampments for a fire, and there is actually a safety concern is in the single digits.”
Without affordable housing options for our at risk population and a plan from the city on how to help unhoused individuals, encampment clearings are going to happen again and again
No comments:
Post a Comment