Homeless people camping in the north end of Kingston aren’t going anywhere – at least not yet.
Dozens of people were at risk of eviction on Wednesday, but the Kingston city council voted to extend the deadline to March 21.
At the same meeting, the council also declared a “mental health and addiction crisis” in the city. It was a victory for the homeless campers living around the Integrated Care Hub.
The council voted 8 to 5 on Tuesday night to delay the evacuation of campers from the Belle Park area, which would have taken place on Wednesday.
“I’m really relieved they’ve seen our side of it,” said without camper Lacey McNeil.
Forecasted rain extends water safety statement in Kingston, Ontario.
North American semiconductor industry will prevent ‘over-reliance’ on Asia: Trudeau
“We have help we didn’t think we had,” said Eric Cook, another uninjured camper.
The forced resettlement was an effort by the city to get most of these homeless Kingstonians to relocate to city-provided shelters.
Mayor Brian Paterson voted to oppose the motion to delay over safety concerns.
“There have been incidents of human trafficking, drug trafficking, and violent attacks of theft, and as mayor, I want to make sure that as a city we can stand behind the services we are offering. are,” Patterson said.
The delay allows campers who cannot go to shelters due to restrictions to stay close to ICH and access resources through the winter.
At the meeting, the council heard from a dozen delegations from residents, campers and organizations. Most favored delay.
“I felt proud. I felt good, that these are my friends that I now consider family, that we’re really on the right track, that we’re listening to each other,” Cook said.
“We consider this a victory,” said Laura Chagnon of Mutual Aid Cataroqui-Kingston. “We are pleased that those who are living in the camp now can be assured that they can stay there for a little longer.”
The delayed campers get a few months before facing eviction again in March.
Meanwhile, the council also unanimously approved a motion by the mayor acknowledging that the conflict may be too large to face alone.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.