City Scrambles for Temporary Housing
Sarnia's city council is rushing to set up tiny homes as a stopgap for homelessness. Council approved a motion to develop 80-square-foot temporary housing while Lambton County struggles to build lasting solutions. Some call it action. Others see it as another short-term fix.
Coun. Anne Marie Gillis pushed for immediate implementation. "Winter is coming," she said. "People need shelter now." The motion passed 6-2, with Coun. Bill Dennis and Coun. Terry Burrell voting against it. Coun. Brian White was absent.
The plan involves local businesses, trades, and churches. Gillis wants homes built within the city, leveraging existing manufacturing capacity. Sarnia resident Kim Gawdunyk raised a similar idea in May to relocate encampment residents from Rainbow Park. Council is now acting, but the root problem remains.
Housing Solutions Need More Than Quick Fixes
Sarnia's tiny homes plan might help, but real progress means tackling long-term housing shortages. Temporary lodgings fill an immediate gap, but sustainable solutions require permanent, affordable housing. Communities facing similar problems have seen mixed results. Some cities expanded transitional housing, integrating tiny homes into broader initiatives. Others focused on supporting traditional housing markets, making ownership more feasible.
The demand for homes for sale in Sarnia isn't disappearing. Rising costs make stability harder to achieve. If the city wants lasting change, it needs clear strategies beyond short-term fixes. Relying on band-aid solutions while ignoring market constraints will not work.
Encampment Rules Tighten
Council also approved tougher protocols for the Rainbow Park encampment. New rules enforce three-meter spacing between tents, no wood structures or fires, and mandatory dog licensing. Police input is pending on proposals to block new arrivals and restrict reentry. The legal line between regulation and eviction is thin.
Coun. Chrissy McRoberts backed these measures, raising concerns over food drop-offs attracting rodents. Acting city solicitor Randi Kalar warned that banning reentry could imply unlawful eviction. The city is now weighing legal risks against enforcement.
A Questionable Expansion of Setback Rules
Sarnia is increasing the encampment setback from residential areas, schools, and trails from 100 meters to one kilometer. A sweeping move, opposed by Coun. Adam Kilner and Coun. Dave Boushy. Even city officials are unsure how to implement the change. "We're still reviewing exactly how it will be incorporated," city spokesperson Steve Henschel admitted.
Coun. George Vandenberg joined Dennis in opposing Rainbow Park's new rules. Despite their resistance, most of these rules were already enforced, according to chief administrator Chris Carter. "We're actively working to improve the park," he insisted.
Legal Battles Loom Over Encampment Shutdown
Sarnia pursued a court injunction to force residents out of Rainbow Park, but past legal decisions complicate the approach. Courts in Waterloo and Kingston have ruled that emergency shelter space alone isn't enough to justify evictions. The right to personal security takes precedence when conditions at shelters fail to meet basic needs.
This legal uncertainty stopped Sarnia from appealing earlier this year. The cost, time, and slim chance of winning kept them away from the courts. Now, Lambton County is reviewing shelter system adjustments that could justify a future injunction. County approval would strengthen the city's legal standing, but success is far from assured.
Tax Relief Talks for Residents Near Encampments
McRoberts floated the idea of tax breaks for residents near Rainbow Park, citing the burden of living near encampments. Mayor Mike Bradley called for a legal review before opening the door to potential financial relief. Council referred the proposal to staff for further assessment. The move acknowledges that housing the homeless affects surrounding neighborhoods, but whether tax breaks materialize remains to be seen.
Crackdown on Illegal Drug Use in Public Spaces
Dennis led a motion reaffirming the city's stance against drug use on public property. His concern: rising public frustration. "People are furious," he said. "Vigilante justice is a real concern."
Police have made arrests and enforced trespass orders at Rainbow Park. Carter confirmed recent removals. "People have been charged and moved from the site," he stated. The city is escalating enforcement, but long-term solutions remain elusive.
Sarnia is reacting, not solving. Temporary housing and stricter policies offer quick relief, but sustained progress demands more than reactionary measures.