Sarnia council has ordered a general clean-up of Rainbow Park in the city’s south end where about 20 people are living in a dozen tents without washroom facilities or electricity.
The expansion of the homeless encampment over the past few weeks came to a head at Monday’s council meeting when a neighbour complained he doesn’t feel safe letting his children play at the park anymore.
Resident Kim Gawdunyk said local citizens are afraid of those who use drugs living in the park and the harm that could come to their families. He also pointed out the “inhumane” living conditions for those reduced to living in a tent.
“Bylaws are not being upheld or enforced. Something needs to happen now,” Gawdunyk said.
Council responded by voting 5-2 in favour of a general clean-up of biohazards and human waste to take place within the week, and committed to revisiting the issue at its next meeting May 6 to decide if the tents should be removed altogether.
“It’s the fact that people feel they are unsafe in their own neighbourhoods. They are so very concerned,” said Coun. Anne Marie Gillis, who made the motion to clean up the park. “There are parts of that park that are being used as a latrine.
“It’s not fair to ask the residents to put up with that.”
Attempts by several councillors to have the tents removed immediately failed after the city’s CAO and solicitor warned there could be serious legal consequences.
Instead, at Gillis’ suggestion, council agreed to leave the tents until at least May 6 when council can receive legal advice. They also asked MPP Bob Bailey and the general manager of Lambton County’s social services to attend the May 6 meeting to discuss where the inhabitants of the encampment can be moved, to talk about provincial help in building more affordable housing, and to ensure there is enough shelter space in Sarnia-Lambton.
Having enough shelter beds is key since other municipalities have hit legal hurdles related to enough shelter beds that are preventing them from clearing encampments.
For instance, the question of shelter capacity became critical following a Superior Court decision that blocked the Region of Waterloo from carrying out an eviction in January.
In that region, a judge ruled officials could not remove people living in an encampment until it has enough space for everyone who is unhoused.
Coun. Gillis said that she was personally assured by Valerie Colasanti, general manager of Lambton County’s social services department, that Sarnia does have enough shelter beds for all those experiencing homelessness.
“She told me that the emergency shelter on Exmouth was running at only 73% capacity,” Gillis said.
Council will hear more about the legal ramifications before voting on removing the encampment in May and, in the meantime, Rainbow Park will be cleaner.
Gillis said Monday she will be very surprised if council doesn’t ultimately sanction removal of the tents.
But retired lawyer Margaret Capes – who voluntarily delivers hygiene kits and other supplies to those experiencing homelessness – said she believes most of the people living in encampments require low-barrier shelter spaces that aren’t available locally.
Low barrier means shelter space for people with drug addictions, where couples can be housed together, or where pets will be allowed.
“What about all the people who have been banned from the shelters?” Capes asked. “Where are they to go? It is very troubling.”
Capes blamed the county for “not having a real plan for these challenging cases.
“So the city is left holding the bag and (council) is reacting to pressure.”
“Margaret makes a good point and all that is part of the discussion,” said Gillis. “We can’t wait three years or five years for more affordable housing. We need a solution now.”
She pointed to Chatham Kent’s council, which decided Monday night to build 50 100-square-foot tiny cabins in a bid to ease the homeless problem there.
The tiny cabins will be supervised 24/7 and have case managers assist residents with life skills and transitioning into permanent housing.
“I don’t know what the solution is in Sarnia but we have to look at the options out there,” Gillis said. “I blame government that has set up programs that are not providing enough affordable housing.
“This can’t go on.”
She said she has sympathy for the homeless as well as Rainbow Park neighbours who she said should be able to safely enjoy their park.
Others on council weren’t as empathetic.
“Those people at Rainbow Park shouldn’t be treated like they are some sort of heroes or that they are misunderstood people. They made their bed and they are lying in it. They are choosing to be homeless,” said Coun. Bill Dennis.
He said he doesn’t have much respect for a lawyer’s opinion, calling them “a dime a dozen.”
“Until we get a handle on our crime, no one is going to want to live here. The drug problem we have here is just horrendous. If we don’t take our city back, we’ll lose it.
“We have to get tough love. I’m sorry,” Dennis said.
Gillis’ successful motion to clean up the park this week and meet May 6 to discuss removing the tents, was supported by all of council except Coun. Terry Burrell and Coun. Chrissy McRoberts. Mayor Mike Bradley and Coun. Adam Kilner were absent.