"For the past 15 years, Shania Steeves has slept on sidewalks and stayed in overcrowded, sometimes unsafe shelters. She has been homeless off and on for nearly half of her life, and she has always preferred living in encampments, where she found community and support among people who are going through the same challenges. Steeves and more than 100 others in Barrie, Ont., may soon lose that support network."
"The city's mayor, Alex Nuttall, declared a state of emergency last month over homeless encampments, citing public safety concerns due to what he described as "lawlessness" on municipal property. The declaration came after police found the remains of two people in one large encampment as part of a double homicide investigation. The city has since ramped up efforts to clear encampments, with council approving"
""We're in a state of emergency and that will continue until we have removed all tents in the city of Barrie," Nuttall said in an interview Thursday, citing the double murder, rampant drug use and overdoses linked to encampments. The mayor said nearly 10 encampments, including a few large ones, have been cleared so far, and 49 of 66 displaced people have accepted shelter beds, hotel rooms or transitional housing."
Shania Steeves has been homeless for nearly half her life, often sleeping on sidewalks and in overcrowded, sometimes unsafe shelters. She prefers living in encampments because they provide community and mutual support. Barrie mayor Alex Nuttall declared a state of emergency over encampments after police found the remains of two people during a double homicide investigation. The city moved to clear multiple encampments and council approved stricter bylaws to enable removal of tents and prevent new ones. Officials reported nearly 10 encampments cleared and 49 of 66 displaced people accepting shelter beds, hotel rooms or transitional housing. Some displaced people moved into other encampments.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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