Hamilton crews clear out City Hall homeless encampment

Crews have cleared a small homeless encampment on the grounds of Hamilton City Hall, citing violations of the city’s encampment protocol.

The city reports that four trespass notices were served late last month. City bylaw officers attended the encampment at the corner of Hunter and Bay streets on City Hall property to clear the site.

The tents were located across the street from Central Elementary School, violating the city’s encampment protocol, which requires encampments to be more than 100 meters from schools and child-care centres.

The encampment protocol remains a contentious issue at the City Council. Ward 8 Councillor John-Paul Danko has called for stricter enforcement of the rules.

In a statement to CHCH News, the city said: “In keeping with the city’s housing-led approach, housing-focused street outreach staff continued to attend this non-compliant site (Hunter and Bay) on a regular basis to offer supports and connections to services.”

The city also highlighted its $18-million plan to add 192 new temporary shelter beds and create 40 ‘micro outdoor shelters’ that can house up to 80 people.

Both initiatives are expected to be operational by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, municipalities are waiting for additional support from the province.

The Ford government is set to table new legislation tomorrow that will provide municipalities and police with increased funding and “enhanced legislative powers” to address encampments.

[CashMacGregor]

no point having by laws if they aren't enforced in a timely manner. i don't want my kids anywhere near these encampments.

[geester]

Same problem in Halifax. Human waste, garbage, needles. The tail wags the dog.

[olderthandadirt]

Were do they find all the garbage?? Why??

[onceuponatimeintoronto]

Why doesn't CH do a story on the $9 million Horvath asked for to help "irregulars" when she kicked home grown Hamiltonians in shelters out on the street in 2023 to make space for outsiders? The food truck lady that feeds tje homeless told .e that when I went to city hall, said the only good thing was they could only stay 3 months in shelters at a time, guess that $9 million couldn't come quick enough for ol Andrea to home her new friends aka bank notes before the locals moved back in. That's what you get w socialist NDP just like Chow in T.O, het ready for the home invasions and leave ypur car keys at the door pike cookies for Santy.

[Les]

Throwing folks walkers away. Shame on you.

[MattJ]

With all the tax money, how is there limited resources for anything?

[andygrenn]

Encampments need an upgrade into 1930’s Depression era shanty towns…Shanty towns would bring character to neighbourhoods
across Ontario…

[DavidHalverson]

Encampments will not be over until unaffordable rents and mortgages, high unemployment, rampant immigration, and social housing wait periods of 10 years is put to an end forever by a government that actually cares for the citizens affected across Canada.

[JohnP-xr]

Why does the city allow this type of blight? Why are we paying so much in tax for such garbage service?

[marleyorange]

contract this stuff out. City workers are overpaid

[TheBasedCanadian]

They can afford to smoke weed? Thats all i can smell when i walk by

[michaelpjeffries]

There is another drug tent police were chasing someone away from last week. Is still trafficking the people drugs and catalytic converters this week.

[charlierose]

What I don't understand, "they" say there is a housing shortage... ok I can see that. However, why are they allowed to plop tents ANYWHERE they want to?! Set up areas, but they still will have to pay a small rent, which can help cover all the costs, like a weekly garbage pick up. I mean geez, everyone else has a mortgage to pay or rent to pay... we don't live for FREE! Even if I go camping (tent camping), it cost me $50 a night! 😮 🤔

[timeandmaterialsdanforth]

No one is dealing with people needing homes but they seek pretty quick to keep kicking people out. Nice... This will get worse. The poor will feel they are cornered. What happenes when you corner people?

[Fendogs.]

The year 1989 called looki g for their Dump truck.

[rustyhauler]

Don't worry, in 15 years our wages will catch up to prices.