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.
Key Findings on Encampments in Canada
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Policy Recommendations for Canadian Municipalities
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.
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.
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.
Expand Low-Barrier Shelter and Support Services
Develop shelter models that prioritize privacy, autonomy, and safety.
Implement outreach-driven encampment supports instead of sweeps.
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.
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).