Report recommends 3 sites for temporary Timmins homeless encampment

A large encampment has grown on Spruce Street South, a residential area that’s near Living Space, a low-barrier shelter for homeless people. (File)

While not a long-term solution, a report headed to city council in Timmins this week recommends three sites for a temporary homeless encampment.

A large encampment has grown on Spruce Street South, a residential area that’s near Living Space, a low-barrier shelter for homeless people.

However, the encampment has led to problems for people living nearby, prompting the city to experiment with having security guards at the site and to consider erecting a fence to reduce conflicts with residents.

A report headed to city council March 24 recommends temporary sites to relocate the encampment “outside of parks, to address immediate safety and neighbourhood concerns related to encampments in laneways and on roadways,” the report said.

“Community partners were advised that this is not a permanent solution, not a shelter model, and not a public engagement or values- based process. Final site decisions remain the responsibility of council.”

Striking a balance

The report said the location selection aimed to strike a balance between easing conflicts with neighbours, while finding a site close enough to services to ensure homeless people would actually use the site.

The three sites are the Spruce Street South snow storage area, Pine Street South and the current site on 316 Spruce Street. All three locations have issues.

The snow storage area is closer to existing services, but encampment residents would still have to travel to the downtown area to access those services.

“As a result, increased pedestrian movement along Spruce Street South may occur as individuals walk between the site and service locations,” the report said.

“It is also important to note that there are additional costs associated with this location. The snow storage area is currently gated and surrounded by a berm, meaning pedestrian access would need to be constructed in order for the site to function safely and appropriately.”

The area is also used for asphalt storage and equipment training, as well a,s the municipal hazardous waste event in June. Plus it would have to be cleared by Dec. 1 so it could be used to store snow.

The Pine Street location is far away from residential areas, but is located in a dense forest far from services.

“Without dedicated transportation options, there is a strong likelihood that individuals would continue spending significant time in the downtown area, which could increase pressure on enforcement and outreach services,” the report said.

“From an operational perspective, it is also likely that encampment activity would continue to appear in other locations throughout the downtown/ central core, as individuals may choose to remain closer to services and familiar spaces.”

If the site is used, some of the pine forest would have to be cleared, and there is a heightened risk of fire because of all the trees.

Finally, the city could keep the encampment where it is, next to the Living Space, with added mitigation measures.

“A 2.5-metre-wide walking path could be established through the area,” the report said.

“Further south in the area, where the land widens … individuals could potentially set up tents. This area would remain accessible through the 2.5-metre-wide walking path.”

This option would cost about $25,470, and aims to “provide a physical barrier to protect neighbouring properties.”

“It is also important to recognize that proximity to the existing shelter significantly influences where individuals choose to remain,” the report said.

“Until a longer-term shelter location is identified, it is likely that individuals will continue to gather in this general area due to familiarity and access to services.”

Read the full report here.