By Pepper Parr
March 18th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington may not have tents set up in Spencer Smith Park with homeless people making the best of the financial situation they are in – there are, nevertheless, homeless people living in tents in the City.
They know that if they to set up in any of the more public areas they would be rousted by the police almost immediately. While it isn’t policy the current city council does not want them seen by the general public and would explain that social welfare is a Regional issue and leave it at that.
The light house serves as a reference as to where the tent encampments are located.
One of the many people that serve as “spotters” for the Gazette has been keeping an eye just how many and where these homeless people choose to live.
The “spotter” who proved these pictures of the three tents in a small enclave along with a photograph with the East pier lighthouse for reference as to where they are.
“Nobody about so I couldn’t talk to them.
“The other encampment on the QEW overpass at Guelph Line is gone. I almost don’t want you to post these as they will be evicted.
These houses in the Beachway will be torn down.
“I’ve included some interesting shots of boarded up and demolished house’s same location.”
The Regional government has bought these homes on a willing seller, willing buyer basis and will tear them down to make way for the upgraded Beachway.
Related news stories:
Homes being torn down for a new park community in the west end
Long term plan is to destroy a community and create a new park
I have to disagree that homes that are being torn down should be available for the homeless. In the past, there was a man living in an abandoned home on Caroline and Elizabeth Street. Unfortunately, because there is no electricity or heat in any abandoned homes the person started a fire while trying to cook food.
The answer is more housing that is available to those who are homeless. This is a difficult social dilemma with no easy answers.
I remember well the vibrant community of small homes along what is now a walkway come cyclists’ race track, a few remain and are well-maintained I guess they’ll be gone soon what a great place it would have been for families to live.
Homeless folks have set up camp in the stairway at the parking garage near bpac.
Those encampments next to the canal have been there off and off for at least 10 years.Last Fall they seemed to have been abandoned and cleaned out.Hard to spot them once the trees fill out with leaves.
I am somewhat of a beach-bum winter and summer Iv’e seen lots of fire pits bear cans and driftwood shelters but never tents with woodstove heaters.