Brampton threatens legal action against outreach group for vulnerable people. It says it needs more support

The City of Brampton is threatening potential legal action against a community outreach group and church if they don't take responsibility for safety concerns from residents in the area.

But Regeneration Outreach Community (ROC), a registered charity that supports vulnerable people, provides meals and operates a food bank, says it needs "greater support" to address those concerns.

Several residents in the area allege they are subject to criminal activity, such as public intoxication, drug use, theft and trespass, on a regular basis by services users of ROC, said Coun. Rowena Santos. 

"They are expected to follow the same rules as everybody else," said Santos.

"It shouldn't be necessary for us to continue reminding property owners to keep their property maintained … store their garbage properly, don't have sleeping bags and junk furniture all over the front lawn."

She says it's no longer appropriate for the group to be based in the neighbourhood unless it's willing to take address the concerns.

CBC reached out to Peel Regional Police about the concerns, but did not hear back before publication.

'Need is greater than what we're able to provide'

But the group's limited operating hours make it impossible to monitor the site at all hours, says Jenna Robson, acting CEO of ROC.

The outreach group is on site from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. during weekdays and for a few hours on the weekend, she said. 

"We wish that we would be able to be open more and we'd be able to take care of the property after hours, but currently the need is greater than what we're able to provide," she said. 

City council passed a motion on July 17 requesting the city solicitor to issue a letter to warn ROC and its landlord, Grace United Church, to address health and safety issues on the property or face further legal action. 

The city's letter will include specific steps such as hiring private on-site security, deterring loitering, and cleaning up and removing illegal substances on the premises every day. 

'We're seeing people in crisis'

While the organization respects the concerns raised by the community, Robson says ROC is trying to strike a balance with addressing the needs of all residents. 

"While they may not be property owners or homeowners, they are residents of this city," she said, adding the group has been operating out of downtown Brampton for more than 25 years. 

"We're seeing people in crisis, people falling through the cracks every single day, and we're trying to pull them up and support them."

Robson adds the group's lease at the church is ending and that it's outgrown the facility – a concern already raised to city council last year. 

ROC requested support from the city in June 2024 to help with relocation, but says it hasn't received any updates since November, she said. 

"So to be able to be able to serve the neighbours and the community that we're serving every day to the best of our ability, we need a space that is able to meet those needs," Robson said.

Group must urge users to respect community: councillor

The council motion came after several concerned residents met with Brampton officials and shared a "list of demands," requesting the city to send a stern letter to property owners and to have ROC clean up the yard, said Santos.

After an inspection from bylaw enforcement last week, Santos says the property looked immediately "better."

"But then if you take a look at it now, it's back to what residents and businesses have to deal with every single morning when they wake up," she said.

She adds the group needs to have "responsible conversations" with its service users to respect the surrounding neighbourhood. 

The city is working with the Region of Peel to identify a new space for ROC outside of a residential neighbourhood, Santos said. 

A statement from the City of Brampton said property owners and tenants are expected to maintain a clean space as per its property standards bylaws. 

"The City has received an increasing number of safety-related reports from Peel Regional Police and City Security Services," read the statement. 

"If these concerns are not resolved in a timely and effective manner, the City may pursue additional legal or enforcement actions, such as administrative penalties or provincial offence notices."