City focusing attention on growing tent city at Clarence Square Park

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The City of Toronto says it is being responsive to the needs of people who live and visit the growing tent city at Clarence Square Park.

As of now, there are approximately 28 encampments and other structures at the downtown park located on Spadina Ave., just north of Front St., the City said.

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However, “not all of these encampments are necessarily associated with people experiencing homelessness and some may be used for storage or social gatherings,” a spokesperson said.

Contracted park security, who are there 24 hours a day and have a vehicle on site, report any emergencies to 911, the city added.

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Security also reports new encampments to the City so that outreach teams can provide support.

“The city responds to encampments by using the skill sets, tools, relationships and authorities of multiple city divisions and community partners to respond to the complex health and safety risks in and around encampments, facilitate access to inside spaces, removal of waste and debris, and ensure shared-use spaces are accessible to all,” the City said.

As of Dec. 20, City staff and community partners have referred approximately 1,477 individuals living outside into the shelter system this year, while more than half – 841 people – were from encampments, the City said.

During the same timeframe, the City and its partners have helped 208 people living outside secure permanent housing, with 93 coming from encampments.

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“Streets to Homes outreach staff and community partners visit various sites daily, focused on building trusting relationships with encampment occupants, to help address immediate health and safety needs, assist with referrals to space in the shelter system and connect people to supports and permanent housing,” the City said.

“Across the city’s encampments, the majority of tent reductions are a direct result of city and community partner outreach efforts as encampment occupants move to the shelter system or permanent supportive housing.”

The City pointed out that living in an encampment is a violation of city bylaws, but “any decision to initiate a trespass enforcement begins only after outreach and engagement efforts, including referrals to inside space, have been unsuccessful.”

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