'Where are we gonna go next?': Cycle begins again after latest Regina homeless encampment dismantled
Encampment was in an empty, privately-owned lot on 12th Avenue
An encampment of about 30 homeless people in Regina's Heritage neighbourhood was forcibly disbanded on Tuesday, restarting a familiar cycle for those who live on the streets and the people who support them.
The encampment was in an empty, privately-owned lot on 12th Avenue, next to Carmichael Outreach for a few months. On Monday evening, residents were informed that they would need to dismantle the encampment.
Some people living at the space began packing up immediately. Others waited until police, fire and bylaw officers arrived just after noon CST on Tuesday.
"Where are we gonna go next?" asked Denise Ryder, a resident of the encampment. "They should do their job and help us [by] finding a place."
Some supporters and community organizers lent a hand as residents took down tents and lean-tos. Others stood by to observe and monitor as officials talked with residents about their next steps.
For many, it's the latest instance of a familiar pattern that has played out repeatedly in Regina over the past few years.
Encampments spring up and exist for a few weeks or months, only to be taken down at the direction of property owners or the City of Regina. Many of the residents scatter in the immediate aftermath, only to relocate to a new location once another empty lot is found. Then the pattern begins all over again.
"There's no solutions put in place for folks to go. So they find places where they feel safe," said Tiro Mthembu, a community organizer.
"If not here, where? Where should they go?"
Since 2015, the number of homeless people in Regina has jumped by 255 per cent, according to the most recent point-in-time count. The number of homeless people climbed to 824 as of December of last year from 232 in a previous count.
Florence Stratton, an advocate for the homeless, said no one is taking responsibility or action in response to the escalating crisis.
"We're here to stand in solidarity, to witness what goes on today and then to cry even louder, 'Housing, housing, housing. People need housing,'" she said. "That's what they need. They don't need to be thrown out of encampments."
Regina's new permanent emergency shelter is set to open in July. However, it won't mean an increase in the number of shelter beds available in the city.
The city's lease for its existing shelter at The Nest is set to expire at the end of the month. The new 50-bed shelter, located at the former Eagles Club building on Halifax Street, will only replace the existing one.
The City of Regina has already secured $3.5 million from the federal government to help offset the cost of addressing encampments in Regina.
It's not clear how far along the city is on its response plan. The city told CBC it would not be able to provide answers on that subject — including whether it has hired an encampment response co-ordinator — until Wednesday.
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