Encampment Project: Homelessness Eradication

The writer intended to inform on the Halifax regional councils approval to revise the homeless encampment approach and responses to some of the emerging questions on such a move. The article sought to offer respite to the neighbors concerned with such a move. The author intended to inform the homeless people, who were candidates for the encampment program, about the opportunities available to them. There was a need for the general public to become informed about the council projects in their vicinity and the use of public funds.

Main Points

The move to provide encampments for the people within the public parks was meant to provide a quality residence for the homeless with the necessary amenities. The identified parks would each have four tents in identified sites, and are Barrington Street green, Lower Flinn Park, Geary Street green space, and Green Road Park. All the chosen places would accommodate a total of 36 tents, intended to house a total of 30 people (Taplin, 2022). Crucial amenities in the residences include portable washrooms, water, lights, and signs. Maps and information would be availed both online and on paper for consumption by the targeted homeless people. Despite 91 people sleeping rough, the intervention targeted the 30 who slept rough in parks (Taplin, 2022). The local authorities were aware that the number of homeless people was likely to increase in the summer but their target was the already homeless people (Taplin, 2022). The number of homeless had grown by 12.6 % in a month from 547 to 616, but the council insisted their solution was short-term.

Complaints from neighbors on security and pollution were addressed by members of the local authority who insisted providing dignified standards would better the situation. The council attributed the challenges faced by the neighbors to the poor standards of living the homeless people were subjected to and the lack of alternatives. Halifax staff planned to seek aid from the provincial and federal governments through the use of their properties. More housing units were under construction and would serve as the permanent solution in the future.

The police were entrusted to ensure compliance with the set regulations within the camping sites. Matters arising within the camps such as noise, fires, disturbances, and assaults were envisioned and the Halifax authorities committed to civilly handling these issues. They would hold meetings with the residents of the encampment region and address these issues. The city staff would be offered security when addressing challenges, should the need arise. The council sought to avoid the controversy surrounding previous housing projects where the police used force on the citizens, and were under heavy criticism.

There was a concern that more people would come to the site when commissioned, surpassing the capacity of the area. The response by Halifax authorities was that alternatives such as provincial parks, federal parks, and online housing options would be availed. There was a requirement for the challenge of homelessness to be investigated holistically and identify the extent of the issue. Solutions were planned to become available to the council in late summer or during fall for consideration.

The encampment project suggested and approved by the council was estimated to cost $50, 000 to prepare and $200, 000 in staffing costs in the 2022-2023 budget, totaling $250,000 (Taplin, 2022). This is a massive figure and use of the public budget that the author intended to make public.

Reference

Taplin, J. (2022). Halifax allows encampments in four parks: HOMELESS IN HRM: Next steps include setting up signs, washrooms, water to support about 30 people. Chronicle Herald. Web.

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