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Proposed Encampment Protocol

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Philp Jun 30 2023 at 8:29PM on page 4

Question

Where’s Hamilton’s next homicide?

Beemer Park
Woodlands Park
Central Park
Bay front Park
City Hall

Margaret Taylor Jun 30 2023 at 7:57PM on page 1

Question

Housing is considered a human right. A house, a home, essentially is a secure, safe place to sleep, prepare food and eat, sleep, keep clean, socialize, live and secure one's possessions. Given that the City of Hamilton, along with other municipal governments, considers homelessness an emergency and housing a right, I would urge the city to locate at least one, preferably more, locations - buildings - to provide those who are living in tents a safe place to bathe, eat, gather, get medical attention and other social services and even perhaps to sleep and secure their possessions. If there are no available city owned properties, then work with the school boards, other institutions and businesses to find space(s). We created an emergency "tent hospital", a satellite hospital for HHS and St. Joseph's, and used hotel rooms and other emergency accommodations during COVID, so we should treat the immediate need for housing with the same urgency.
Are there no available buildings that could be used right now to address this need?
Where are the other levels of government?

Margaret Taylor Jun 30 2023 at 7:30PM on page 8

Suggestion

In April the City of Hamilton declared a state of emergency related to homelessness and related issues. Other cities have done the same. Clearly the provincial and federal governments need to step up and I would support efforts by the city to join with other municipalities in urging action at these levels. The city should also keep Hamiltonians informed regularly about its progress (or lack thereof) in providing better services (such as toilets, washing facilities, health and social supports) for those living in tents and in increasing the availability of permanent, affordable housing, with health and social supports for those who need them. The reports should include information on the involvement, or lack thereof, of the provincial and federal governments.

Df55 Jun 30 2023 at 5:56PM on page 1

Question

What happens when no one shows up at the sanctioned encampments and things in every other park get worse. What’s your plan B?

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:28PM on page 8

Suggestion

Please provide more details on how this protocol will be monitored and performance measured. What are the performance indicators? What are the specific outcomes of this protocol and how do they align with the long-term goal of permanent housing?

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:27PM on page 8

Question

Will monthly reports be accessible to the public, i.e., posted on the City of Hamilton website?

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:27PM on page 8

Suggestion

Define the potential external partners. Are these select partners with biases?

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:27PM on page 8

Question

It is not apparent from this protocol that the health and safety of community members have been considered. What about kids not longer feeling safe playing the the park? There are a number of large parks that are extremely well used in Hamilton. If the use of these parks were to change would the protocol be deemed ineffective?

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:27PM on page 8

Question

Is there a quantitative measure for number of complaints? Does increased mean frequency and volume of complaints?

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:26PM on page 7

Suggestion

Please review and ensure there are no mistakes prior to publication that could lead to a misinterpretation. What does "three several days" mean? Did you mean three (3) days?

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:25PM on page 4

Suggestion

Please provide a timeline for the response. The City of Hamilton needs to be transparent with all community members. How long could each step approximately take? A month or 2-3 days? The City of Hamilton needs to have a clear and defined guideline to ensure the safety of the individuals living in an unsafe encampment and community members.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:25PM on page 4

Question

What happens if an individual refuses? Will the site be removed?

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:25PM on page 4

Suggestion

This acronym has not been defined. Please define HPS.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:24PM on page 3

Suggestion

This acronym has not been defined. Please define HFSO.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:24PM on page 3

Suggestion

It should be inclusive of all City of Hamilton bylaws.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:24PM on page 3

Question

How often will each site be monitored? Or will it be up to the community to monitor these sites given the City of Hamilton has limited resources and capacity?

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:23PM on page 2

Suggestion

Trails should be included in this protocol.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:23PM on page 2

Suggestion

On or within 50 m of any community garden. Community gardens may act as a food source for individuals in the neighbourhood, for sanitation reasons it is not appropriate to have a tent within 50 m of a community garden.

We have heard from seniors in our neighbourhood that they are afraid to access their community garden plot because they have been exposed by individuals living in tents next to the garden. Please explain why the reduced accessibility to services a park offers to seniors or any community member has not been considered.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:23PM on page 2

Suggestion

On or within 50 m of any fenced-in, off-leash dog area. It is not appropriate for a tent to be put up next to a dog park. There is likely a sanitation risk with dogs potentially peeing on the tent.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:22PM on page 2

Suggestion

There was a large encampment at Dundurn National Historic Site, where trees were removed by individuals to make space for their tents. Please state whether all current bylaws will apply to this protocol.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:22PM on page 2

Suggestion

Please provide a rationale for this decision. I am assuming 50 m from a school was selected because children would play outside of the school. Children should have the right to play outside in their front lawn if they choose. Why is it okay that it's within 5 m of a property line where kids could also be playing? The limit should be extended.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:21PM on page 2

Suggestion

How did the City of Hamilton determine 50 m was appropriate? Please provide a rationale for this decision.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:21PM on page 2

Question

If there also a limited number of individuals per tent? Is there a limit for the size of a tent?

Having 5 single person tents is very different than having 5 10-person tents. The City of Hamilton needs to consider specifics in their protocol.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:21PM on page 1

Question

How will the Vulnerability Index - Service Prioritization Decision Assistance be distributed and how will individual access/complete it?

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:20PM on page 1

Question

Why is this voluntary? If the City of Hamilton wants to better understand how to support individuals experiencing homelessness and ultimate develop more effective action to achieve the long-term goal of permanent housing this seems like a crucial step. I recognize that individuals may not want to give information, so make it anonymous. The City of Hamilton will not achieve their long-term goal if there is a small sample size (e.g., 5% of the total number of individuals experiencing homelessness).

What is the City's backup plan to understand how to support individual's needs, preferences, and long-term housing outcomes, if individuals choose to not complete the vulnerability index?

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:20PM on page 1

Suggestion

Please indicate how often this email is monitored and what the estimated response time by the City of Hamilton to acknowledge the recipient of a complaint and to action a response.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:19PM on page 1

Suggestion

Please include your performance indicators for the protocol. What are the measurable positive impacts and outcomes?

Please include defined actions the City of Hamilton is proposing to monitor the impact of the protocol.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:19PM on page 1

Suggestion

There should also be transparency with community members living in the area. A collective approach should be taken, it is not just a discussion between individuals living in encampments, temporary shelters, or tents, and City staff, it should also include individuals who currently own a home, condo, or are renting in the area. Throughout the protocol there is a lack of recognition and consideration for how this protocol will impact community members on a collective front.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:18PM on page 1

Suggestion

Please elaborate on all shared principles and how they align with the City of Hamilton's long-term goal of permanent housing.

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:18PM on page 1

Question

The City of Hamilton must remember that this protocol and the long-term goal of permanent housing relies on tax payers, community members, businesses, a healthy economy, and sufficient capacity and resources. Has the City of Hamilton done a risk analysis on this protocol? If so, please provide the results to the public. If not, please consider conducting a risk analysis prior to implementing this protocol.

Examples of risks;
- individuals from other areas coming to Hamilton to set up shelter. What is the likelihood of this situation and what are the impacts and strain on Hamilton's capacity and resources? What is the impact to the long-term goal of permanent housing? If individuals from other areas are coming into Hamilton does that ultimately reduce the ability to reach a goal of permanent housing for all?
- what are the impacts of community members leaving an area and no new community members coming into that same area. What are the impacts on services and businesses, if community members start leaving the area?

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:17PM on page 1

The protocol lacks an evidence-based approach. It is unclear why specific decisions have been made, what is the evidence and rationale (e.g., with specific distances from prohibited areas).

MG Jun 30 2023 at 5:17PM on page 1

Question

Please explain how this protocol will be distributed to individuals living in encampments, temporary shelters, or tents.

sheila Corbett Jun 30 2023 at 1:48PM on page 6

Regarding the following plan of the city I have a question. For example, an encampment cluster must maintain a five metre distance from private property, and sites with environmental or heritage designations. That is way to close to private property and homes were people live. On the street I live on it is 2 blocks from my house. I did not work hard to buy a house and have the city allow my peace, quiet and maybe even safety compromised while raising my Property Tax. For those with children how do you feel about your children playing in the area that close to an encampment or leaving your older teens home alone after school or while you have a night out?
Bet there will be none in the ritzy money areas. I am already seeing some working girls on some of the corners almost to Strathearn plus people sleeping in the doorway of the old Zellers. It is already spreading along Barton from the centre of the city.
The city needs to rethink this.

in reply to Ancaster Resident's comment

Justin Jun 30 2023 at 10:10AM on page 1

I believe that any persons living in tents would apply to this protocol. Trying to disqualify people is not helpful. It's not a correct assumption that someone would choose to live in a tent in the same way that someone with resources would choose to live in a van renovated to be a home. If they are living in a tent or encampment, it's safe to say that they haven't chosen that as a lifestyle. Over the past few years, encampment residents have been pushed further out of the city centres as they see a lot of harassment and policing and just want a place to exist. In terms of panhandling, it would be hard for anyone to match the expectations of others when they are just desperately trying to survive to see the next day by figuring out food, water, etc that we often take for granted.

Esther Link Jun 30 2023 at 9:37AM on page 3

Suggestion

Suggest once established, encampments be provided with a safe, fire D inspected, steel drum fire ring with grate for cooking food. Provide sand bags for suppression. Disallow fires to heat structures, and provide alternate thermal comfort options, rigid insulation boards below tents, tarps, etc.

Esther Link Jun 30 2023 at 9:30AM on page 2

Suggestion

Consider that encampment residents need access to transit to travel to support services, and perhaps should be provided with a Presto pass.

Esther Link Jun 30 2023 at 9:25AM on page 2

Suggestion

50 m from any sports field is overly restrictive (Kaye Drage is a perfect location for several sites), and perhaps there should be a time of year exemption, such that in off-seasons these areas (which would not be in use) are able to host sanctioned encampments.

in reply to Lynn Suthers's comment

Justin Aitcheson Jun 30 2023 at 12:39AM on page 8

Suggestion

Interesting idea to use vacant indoor spaces especially within winter months. Interesting mix of shelter of inside space and less required infrastructure. That being said, it would depend if these warehouses are still located near support services and appointments for the residents.

Justin Aitcheson Jun 30 2023 at 12:34AM on page 8

Question

What services will be dispatched during mental health crisis?

Ahmed Jun 30 2023 at 12:29AM on page 1

Thank you for sharing this and giving opportunities for comments and suggestions - would love to see a roll up of the feedback including thumbs up and down along with the survey results

Justin Aitcheson Jun 30 2023 at 12:29AM on page 7

Suggestion

A secondary notice of removal should be placed on the shelter with a date to allow for final intervention from a community member. They could have been in the hospital etc.

Justin Aitcheson Jun 30 2023 at 12:26AM on page 7

Suggestion

Indicate what acceptable observable changes? The removal of the notice, a tear here if you're still in this tent on the notice etc. Something that doesn't simply rely on sight alone. In spaces where there are other encampments nearby, their word to confirm only that it is still an active shelter could be enough and reduce resources spent returning back 3 and more times to a tent.

Ahmed Jun 30 2023 at 12:25AM on page 2

The VI-SPDAT is an over-rated assessment tool. Findings suggest the VI-SPDAT has weaknesses in its reliability and validity. These weaknesses are from problems with the tool itself, how it is used in real-world practice, or individuals' tendencies to inaccurately disclose sensitive information. The City and Community Services rely far too heavily on the use of it. Good to see those at encampments aren’t required to complete it.

Justin Aitcheson Jun 30 2023 at 12:22AM on page 7

Suggestion

This perhaps seems a little flawed and might leave room for someone whom is regularly away from their encampment at certain times, say if they are working to have their things removed.

in reply to Brendan Tait's comment

Ahmed Jun 30 2023 at 12:20AM on page 2

Agree - or at least include that the terms are often used interchangeably. Individuals living in encampments are experiencing homelessness. This isn’t urban camping.

Justin Aitcheson Jun 30 2023 at 12:18AM on page 6

Question

Perhaps Hamilton fire would provide education?

in reply to Philippe's comment

Ahmed Jun 30 2023 at 12:16AM on page 2

It makes sense to keep parking lots within the protocol.

Justin Aitcheson Jun 30 2023 at 12:16AM on page 5

Suggestion

I believe instead of internal policies there should be some guidelines or requirements both to when they increase their level of intervention in intensity or time (rushing) and some guidelines on what acceptable levels of increase are permitted to look like and what is not acceptable looking through a trauma informed lens.

Ahmed Jun 30 2023 at 12:14AM on page 3

This is good.

Justin Aitcheson Jun 30 2023 at 12:12AM on page 5

Suggestion

Perhaps they should identify any possible barriers to the unhoused residents moving their encampments? Are they ill, is there inclement weather, is it the middle of the night?