St. Thomas has dismantled a well-established encampment where people had set up tents and built make-shift shelters, angering outreach workers who say the people there have nowhere else to go.

"What typically happens is they have to see if there's room in the shelter or find another place to camp. The people who tend to camp like this are challenged with shelter stay, it's not always safe for them, so they might be driven further into the woods, where their camps won't be dismantled," said Jackie Moore, the coordinator of The Nameless, a volunteer-run group that supports people experiencing homelessness.

"They create a community within themselves that meets hygienic standards and safety standards for themselves, and then something like this happens and they get told to move, but there's no supports, nowhere else for them to go."

St. Thomas police say the camp had to be taken down because it was unsafe and that workers with a mental health outreach team connected with the campers to provide them with supports.

"Homelessness and precarious housing continue to impact people and create both challenging and complex situations that need to be addressed," Mayor Joe Preston said in a statement.

"The city works diligently and in partnership with all stakeholders in the community to provide options and supports to all, including those most vulnerable. As best as possible, the city has and will take continued action to ensure the safety and well-being of all of its residents and the security of both public and private property."

The encampment that was taken down was located at 45 Victor Drive, which is vacant privately-owned land along the popular Whistlestop Trail walking and biking area.

On Tuesday, police were called to the site after a violent assault. One man was taken to hospital and remains in stable condition, said police spokesperson Samantha Wakefield.

"We've been aware of a structure on that site growing. It was a collaborative approach between St. Thomas Police, the City of St. Thomas, and the mental health support team and we dismantled the encampment," Wakefield said.

"Encampments are understood. They seek out and create living places for themselves, but the safety of the structures they're building and the overall safety of the living situation like that was a major concern."

Seven people were found at the camp, she added.

"We have established important community partnerships. Through these collaborative efforts, we actively seek and create housing options that provide support to those most in need," said Heather Sheridan, the director of St. Thomas-Elgin social services.

"Individuals impacted by (Wednesday's) activities have been offered and received assistance and support. We know that affordable and supportive housing is the solution to ending homelessness and we will continue our efforts to reach that goal in St. Thomas."

Police employed a "compassionate approach," said police chief Mark Roskamp.

"This site offered zero opportunity for moving out of homelessness. Officers recovered stolen property at the encampment site which is very concerning and will be investigated to link rightful owners to their property. As a collective, we are committed to ensuring community safety and well-being for all residents, holding accountable those that choose to commit crimes, and support and connect to healthy pathways those that choose encampments to live," Roskamp said.

According to Moore, the bigger issue is that people have nowhere else to go. She's tried to petition St. Thomas to stop dismantling encampments and to allow safe camping in designated places within the city, as well as a hub at the permitted encampment location to give people access to showers, washrooms and food.

Such an approach has begun in London.