City continues ‘status quo’ approach to homelessness – Terrace Standard

The City of Terrace has yet to find an outdoor housing solution for the homeless in the community. Council sent staff back to the drawing board after staff proposals for a tent city on the lawn of City Hall were rejected.

Because shelter spaces in Terrace are not meeting demand, the city is not authorized to prevent outdoor camping in specific public spaces, such as parks and residential areas, without a designated overnight location. where people can go.

The council had hoped to find a spot by the end of the summer, but Linda Stevens, the city’s social programs development co-ordinator, said in August that by-law officers would continue to move homeless people to the on a case-by-case basis when complaints arise.

Complaints about encampments declined over the summer, she said, although the estimated number of encampments remained “pretty constant”.

City spokesman Tyler Clarke said The standard terrace on Thursday, September 15, staff are now expected to report back to the board by the end of this year and consider “the benefits and challenges of the various options”.

Mayor Carol Leclerc said in August that it was clear that Staff Town Hall’s tent city idea was “not a very popular recommendation”, expressing relief that “what has worked will continue to operate for the remainder of the season.

Com. Sean Bujtas, who is the city’s mayor-elect because he was the only person to file application papers for the job, said he was “ok with the status quo” for now, but stressed the importance of finding a place in the event of an increase in homelessness. .

But the con. Lynne Christiansen said the by-law officers’ approach was not working, adding that lack of services was at the root of the problem as more people camp in residential areas.

“I am not happy with the status quo. I don’t think we’re doing it right. I think our community looks pretty seedy,” she said.

As the winter season approaches, Clarke said more extreme weather beds will be made available.

Clarke said that in recent years the number of people sheltering outdoors has tended to decrease during the winter months.

As it gets colder, Clarke suggested that people living outdoors in the warmer months could “return to their home communities” or stay with friends and family.

He said the Ksan Society was working with BC Housing on shelter capacity and should update the city “as we head into the winter months soon”.

There is no new strategy for dealing with urban fires in winter, as people sheltering near homes and businesses start fires to keep warm.

“We are still advising those involved in the fire that it is against city bylaw to start this type of fire within city limits,” Clarke said on behalf of the fire department. “Then we put out the fire.”

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Housing and homelessnessMunicipal governmentTent city