Karto Signals: Shifting Responses to Encampments

Addressing the Rise of Encampments in Canadian Cities

Encampments have become a visible and growing challenge in urban and rural communities across Canada, highlighting the failures in affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and government coordination. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant increase in encampment numbers, with 94% of surveyed municipalities reporting a rise in encampments.

The Karto Signals Briefing (November 2023) examines emerging policy shifts, legal changes, and municipal responses to encampments, offering a data-driven analysis of how Canada can address this crisis with more effective, human rights-based approaches.

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Key Findings on Encampments in Canada

1. Encampments have grown in size and visibility
   • 61% of communities reported a major increase in encampments since the pandemic.
   • Most encampments are small (2-10 people), but mid-sized (11-49 people) and large (50+ people) encampments are rising in urban areas.
   • 55% of encampments are hidden (e.g., near waterways, abandoned properties), while 45% are in public spaces (parks, downtown areas).
2. Public concern and media influence shape encampment policies
   • High-profile encampment removals (e.g., Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods Park clearance) drive media coverage and public debate.
   • Google search trends show spikes in public interest following encampment fires, legal battles, and government crackdowns.
   • The media often portrays encampments as safety concerns, pushing municipalities toward enforcement-focused responses.
3. Municipalities lack resources to manage encampments effectively
   • 69% of municipalities cite staff shortages as the biggest barrier, followed by funding gaps (59%) and lack of intergovernmental coordination (37%).
   • Most cities rely on bylaw enforcement, rather than long-term housing-first strategies.
   • Federal and provincial funding disparities limit encampment responses, particularly in rural areas.
4. Recent court rulings are reshaping encampment policies
   • Legal challenges in Ontario and British Columbia have ruled against evictions without adequate shelter options, reinforcing a human rights-based approach.
   • These rulings are forcing cities to adopt more precise, housing-focused solutions rather than relying on clearance strategies.

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Challenges in Encampment Responses

1. The Municipal Dilemma: Short-Term Enforcement vs. Long-Term Housing Solutions

• Encampments expose failures in affordable housing, yet most municipal strategies focus on immediate removals instead of permanent housing solutions.
• Competing interests complicate responses:
  • Transit authorities want encampments removed from railways and public transit areas.
  • Public health agencies focus on disease prevention and harm reduction.
  • Housing advocates push for housing-first policies instead of punitive actions.
  • Law enforcement often becomes the default response due to a lack of alternative policies.

2. Encampments vs. Shelters: Why Many People Refuse Shelter Options

• Many individuals choose encampments over shelters due to:
  • Restrictive shelter rules (85%), including sobriety requirements and curfews.
  • Overcrowding in shelters (76%), leading to unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
  • Safety concerns (61%), including theft, violence, and lack of personal security.
  • Lack of privacy, autonomy, and dignity in shelters (55%).

3. Public Perception and Political Pressure

• Encampment clearances receive high media attention, often framing them as public safety issues rather than housing crises.
• Political leaders face pressure from residents and businesses to act swiftly, often prioritizing enforcement over long-term solutions.
• Without public education and policy shifts, cities risk perpetuating a cycle of displacement rather than solving homelessness.

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Emerging Strategies for Encampment Management

1. Housing-First Approaches

• Some municipalities are shifting toward integrated housing-first models, focusing on permanent housing instead of removals.
• Examples:
  • Toronto’s Modular Housing Pilot repurposes unused city land for temporary housing solutions.
  • BC’s Encampment Injunction Changes limit forced removals without alternative housing options.

2. Human Rights-Based Legal Protections

• Recent court rulings reinforce the right to shelter and housing:
  • Waterloo (2023): Evictions ruled unconstitutional without alternative shelter space.
  • Prince George (2021): B.C. Supreme Court blocked encampment removals due to lack of shelter options.
  • Kingston (2023): Judges ruled overnight shelter bans violated human rights laws.
• Municipalities must align their encampment policies with human rights frameworks to avoid legal challenges.

3. Community-Led Encampment Management

• Sanctioned encampments provide regulated spaces with sanitation, healthcare, and social supports.
• Outreach-led encampment responses connect residents with mental health, addiction, and employment services.
• Encampment-to-housing transition programs ensure stable, long-term housing placements instead of repeated displacement.

4. Cross-Sector Collaboration and Funding Expansion

• Cities are partnering with:
  • Non-profits and housing agencies to expand low-barrier housing solutions.
  • Corporate and philanthropic donors to fund emergency housing projects.
  • Multi-disciplinary teams (police, social workers, healthcare providers) to support encampment residents.

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Policy Recommendations for Canadian Municipalities

1. Develop Encampment Response Plans Based on Housing-First Principles
   • Shift from enforcement-led responses to housing-first interventions.
   • Invest in long-term affordable housing rather than temporary shelter solutions.
2. Strengthen Legal Protections and Reduce Criminalization of Encampments
   • Align encampment policies with recent court rulings on housing rights.
   • Reduce the use of law enforcement and punitive measures in encampment management.
3. Increase Federal and Provincial Funding for Permanent Housing Solutions
   • Expand funding beyond emergency shelters to permanent supportive housing.
   • Address rural funding disparities to ensure equitable encampment responses.
4. Expand Low-Barrier Shelter and Support Services
   • Develop shelter models that prioritize privacy, autonomy, and safety.
   • Implement outreach-driven encampment supports instead of sweeps.
5. Educate the Public and Reduce Stigma Around Encampments
   • Reframe encampments as a housing crisis, not a criminal issue.
   • Promote awareness campaigns on the root causes of homelessness.

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Conclusion: A Path Toward Sustainable Encampment Solutions

Encampments are a symptom of Canada’s housing and social services failures. Municipalities must move beyond short-term enforcement measures and focus on housing-first, community-led responses that prioritize long-term stability over displacement.

Without federal and provincial leadership, funding, and legislative changes, encampments will continue to rise, further straining municipal resources. A coordinated, human-rights-based approach is needed to ensure housing, safety, and dignity for all.

For an in-depth analysis of encampment trends, case studies, and policy recommendations, read the full Karto Signals Briefing (November 2023).

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Read Full Report Here:

https://hubs.ly/Q02xgq5X0