New councillors, encampment residents await city's winter shelter plan

There are few details now, but newly elected city councillors say a plan to help homeless Londoners survive the frigid winter months ahead is in the works.

"It's one of the first things that the council will have to deal with," said Hadleigh McAlister, the newly elected councillor in Ward 1. 

"Obviously, with winter approaching, it's a big concern. We need more supportive services. Unfortunately, we're in that scramble as winter approaches. I'm sure they'll look at setting up some of the same things as last year, including temporary shelters."

The fallen autumn leaves have revealed scores of encampments in wooded areas throughout London, many along the Thames River, often on lands that flood after significant rain. 

One of the largest clusters of makeshift tents is in McAlister's ward, tucked inside the trees not far from where Adelaide Street crosses the Thames River. 

City needs 'a more active role'

"I do feel like we have seen the writing on the wall," said McAlister of London's housing crisis. "We gutted government housing since the 1990s. We have to take a more active role for housing."

A spokesperson for London Cares, an advocacy group working with the city on the homeless file, said they expect details of a winter response plan to be presented to a council committee in the coming weeks. 

Another new councillor elected in a ward with a pressing homeless problem is Ward 13's David Ferreira. He doesn't have details yet, but like McAlister is eagerly awaiting city staff's plan. 

"After talking with staff and other councillors, I can tell you that it's a priority, which is good. It's a priority for me and it's a priority for the city." 

Ferreira said the plan will likely include a mix of shelters and day spaces at several locations in the core, which is what was put in place last year. 

One person keen to see what the city comes up with is Amanda Doupe, who's lived with her two dogs in a tent near the river since March. She's lived outside at various locations on and off for the past four years. About a dozen other people live near her in neighbouring tents. 

She'd like to see a structure built where the tents could be clustered together for warmth. Failing that, she plans to string tarps around nearby trees to create a perimeter that will provide some protection from wind. 

"We need blankets, we need food and equipment," she said. 

Flooding, security a concern

Living in a tent on a flood plan is far from safe, Doupe admits. During Monday's heavy rain, the river rose and came dangerously close to her tent.

Security is another issue, as unwanted visitors often show up in the middle of the night.

"It's dangerous out here and it's hard," she said. 

Despite the challenges of living outside through the winter months, Doupe would like the city to "give us a chance" to continue living outside. 

"Give us some rules and we'll follow them," she said. 

She even suggested paying the city rent to camp there, with the money collected going to support trash pickup and other services. 

Apartment rents are out of reach and units are often infested with bedbugs, Doupe said. 

"I'm not out here for no reason," she said. "I wish I had a home again."