Londons new Encampment Strategy concerns [Video]

There’s a growing belief among neighbours of Watson Street Park that council’s decision to extend setback distances between homeless encampments and sensitive land uses has increased the number of unhoused Londoners living behind their homes and businesses.

In June, council adjusted the setback distances before endorsing an updated Encampment Strategy that restricts their size and location.

Almost two months later, some neighbours of the heavily wooded park along the south side of the Thames River (east of Wellington Road) say they’re bearing the consequences of that decision.

“The encampment strategy is strict [about] where people can go, but that’s put them all right behind our properties and near Watson Street and Weston Street,” said Primod Kukadia, who owns a house on Wellington Road.

When council was discussing the Encampment Strategy, city staff warned that extending the setback distances would leave Londoners experiencing homelessness with fewer options.

“At first glance, it …