Encampment residents' belongings await relocation by their owners Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 near city hall, background, in Belleville, Ont. Authorities allowed residents to pack and move prior to public works staff cleaning up the site. (Luke Hendry/The Belleville Intelligencer/Postmedia Network) Photo by Luke Hendry /The Intelligencer
Yesterday we biked downtown to the library in Belleville, a "virtuous cycle" to be sure. As we rode alongside the Moira River we passed the last vestiges of a homeless encampment that's been there for a couple of weeks, spilling over onto to the paved pedestrian/cycling trail. This encampment had been adjacent to the Farmers' Market before eviction, and some of the residents were in a tent community on the far side of the city before that. One resident told a local reporter that she's lived in nine outdoor spots since January, always moved along by authorities.
In a phone interview Neil Ellis, the city's mayor said that “Hastings County and the City of Belleville do not believe in encampments.” I think that Ellis and city council members are dedicated and generallyd doing a decent job but this was a baffling comment. Does anyone, anywhere "believe" in encampments for those who are unhoused? This is not an issue of belief but a crisis brought about by a toxic mix of factors, including a lack of affordable housing. During our cycles we have seen that drug use is a reality for some, and so is mental instability.
As we passed the riverfront encampment location a person taking away belongings apologized for being in the way, as did a guy with all his belongings on a bicycle traler a few weeks ago at the other end of town. While we offered a "no worries" response there is unending worry for these poor souls. human beings loved by God.
There are many agencies attempting to respond to this crisis in Belleville and the police maintain that they do their best to be respectful and compassionate. Yet if we don't "believe" in encampments for a lot of reasons, how do we become solution oriented rather than applying temporary fixes? Do we just keep sending homeless people down the road? For those of us who are people of Christian faith, what do we believe and how do we respond? It's finally getting colder and there are hundreds of people without adequate or any housing in our region.
When we were at the market a few weeks ago the encampment was a caravan with the residents moving on. There was a sign reading "Where do we go"? It is the multi-million dollar question.
3 comments:
We have empty school properties that could be used for temporary housing....
Many of these homeless people have mental health or substance abuse issues that have put them there. They're often estranged from family members, and with the mental health system being completely broken and desperately needing a complete overhaul, what chance do they have? The answer is not to get them to "move along". I don't pretend to have all the answers, but the problem seems to be getting worse with few solutions being offered.
Thanks, Judy and Roger, for these responses. There must be solutions to adressing homelessness--other countries such as Sweden are doing much better -- yet we can't even develop a national strategy. I agree about repurposing government properties. You've always been a compassionate guy, Roger, except when it comes to the Leafs. Go Steelers! (not really...)
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