'We don't feel heard' homeowners say as city staff ask for encampments to be closer to houses

Some London homeowners who live near encampments in public parks say they've received no communication from city staff or social agencies about a proposed bylaw change that could allow tents to be set up closer to residential properties.

A council committee will vote Tuesday on a staff recommendation to decrease the encampment buffer zone between tent setups and residential property lines from 100 metres to 25 metres.

It's a move that has surprised some residents who feel ignored by the city and its strategies to support those living in tents, said Michael Laukner, whose house backs onto Watson Street Park in south London, which is the site of a city-run service depot.

"Never once have any of these stakeholders come and chatted with us on our street asking how it's affecting us and what they could be doing differently. This new proposal came out of nowhere," said Laukner, adding he learned of it last week through news reports. 

"We get notices about construction and other things happening on the street but nothing was brought to our attention about this, so there's an ongoing lack of communication, and I feel we're part of the solution to this homeless crisis in London."

In June, council passed a bylaw that requires encampments not be within 100 metres of any private residential property line with a "habitable dwelling". They must also be at least 100 metres away from playgrounds, water parks, spray pads and sports fields, and 150 metres away from elementary schools and child daycares. 

In a report, city staff said they're not able to enforce the existing setback requirements and outreach service providers worry too many people are being displaced by the residential property bylaw, forcing them further away from service depots.  

"This proximity affects the current encampment and depot program," Kevin Dickins, deputy city manager wrote. "The challenges to respond to the increased volume of inquiries is impacting [the] ability to address encampments in the community."  

They say inquiries spiked 33 per cent this summer, compared to the year before. Dickins was not available for an interview on Monday. 

Kids' safety being jeopardized, parents say

Laukner said he bought his house on Grand Avenue 15 years ago due to its proximity to the park but despite that, his kids, ages seven and 10, feel unsafe playing there. They have also witnessed thefts, open drug use and people urinating on the streets, he said. 

"Anything that brings encampments closer to us comes with these types of potential issues. We've found that when it's farther away, people access the park differently," he said. 

Aliya Abdul-Hamid shares those concerns. The mom of two lives about 150 metres from Thornwood Park, near Wonderland Road North and Oxford Street West, which has also has encampments. She said her car has been broken into multiple times and feels her kids' safety is being jeopardized. 

"They've seen tents there, and it's their safe place to play, but I feel the city allowing [encampments to come closer] is taking away from their childhood and their safety," she said. 

"Someone living in a tent is going to wander around looking for things they need. It's scary to have a child or pets go out in the park or go for a walk and stumble upon needles or an aggressive person."

Abdul-Hamid said she empathizes with those living in encampments and believes the city needs to find a solution that can help individuals in need but also prioritize the safety other Londoners. 

Laukner wants the city to consult with residents who will be directly impacted by the potential bylaw change before implementing it. 

"We're not being heard at all, and that's a big problem," he said. "We all understand there's a crisis and aren't against the encampments, but we are being ignored by the city and no one has consulted us about these changes."