Read on Twitter
We are talking about basic human right to life depending on a safe shelter. Stopping dismantling encampments across the region. Trespassing, loitering and obstruction of passage codes are still in effect despite adding to trauma in #watreg too. https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2020/08/22/for-those-living-on-hamiltons-margins-tents-are-better-than-shelter-beds.html
"Officials insist the city must adhere to bylaws that prohibit tents on public sidewalks, streets and parks while trying to find people housing, shelter or hotels." #WaterlooRegion is the same. Encampments will remain unsanitary if we do not support the people.
Some may fuel a polarizing debate about how encampments prevent our enjoyment streets, neighbourhoods or cities while forgetting that we have dehumanizing & inequitable systems in place, disproportionally impacting low income, Indigenous, Black and people of colour communities.
We have been talking since the beginning of the pandemic that moving encampments is disruptive to the residents sense of safety, wellbeing and access to healthcare. "Encampments offer security in numbers to people who struggle in shelters, hotels and housing without support."
People in encampments self-organize, chose the encampment dwellers, find stability, protection and mutual supports. "...moving people along without an acceptable alternate only makes things worse." for everyone. Learn from our local experience #Watreg https://civichubwr.org/en/unsheltered-campaign/
Listen to their voices and hear about the reasons why they would not fit into the current shelter system or would be restricted from access... https://anchor.fm/sdcwr/episodes/Testimonies-of-Homelessness-eijdvt
Our letter begins to describe the ways in which we have to ACT NOW & treat #unshelteredwr as human, in support of the systems who need the community to learn, adapt. #stopencampmentevictions @RegionWaterloo @CityKitchener @citywaterloo @cityofcambridge https://civichubwr.org/en/we-can-do-better/
