An increase in homeless encampments in recent months has Terrace City Council looking to designate a location as an overnight shelter space.
Under current legislation, communities are required to allow camping on public property, when adequate indoor shelter space is not available.
Currently, the city has no designated outdoor shelter spaces, and responds to issues at encampments on a case-by-case basis.
Camps which attract negative attention, or present safety and security risks, are encouraged to dismantle and move daily, while those which do not are allowed to remain.
Over the past 5 months, complaints regarding temporary encampments have increased, both from neighbours and from camp residents constantly forced to move.
After reviewing options brought forward by staff, council decided to maintain their current response while looking into the logistics of a designated space.
If a site were to be chosen, campers would be allowed to stay overnight, but would be required to pack up their camps in the morning.
As an incentive to use the space, staff will also look in to the costs of bringing amenities such as storage, electricity, portable restrooms, cleaning services, and security to the site.
While the plan is in its early phases, City Hall was identified as a possible location for the camp, due to its close vicinity with emergency services, and other resources.
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