Hamilton begins enforcing its new encampment rules this week. Here's what you need to know

New rules begin this week for encampments in Hamilton.

Council approved the city's protocol on Friday, and housing director Michelle Baird told CBC Hamilton staff began investigating complaints Monday. 

"We are totally up and running," Baird said. "Outreach staff continue to visit sites and bylaw is doing some proactive work." 

That means outreach workers are stopping by encampments that will no longer be allowed under the protocol — those within 100 metres of playgrounds, 50 metres of sports fields and 10 metres of private property, Baird said. 

The protocol is separate from the proposed tiny home pilot and past discussions around sanctioned encampments. It is meant to be a temporary measure in lieu of more help from the province and federal government.

It is also meant to be an alternative to the complete dismantling of encampments, which in recent years forced unhoused people to move to around the city, sometimes ending up in the same location they were first told to leave from. 

Bylaw officers are now looking at all parks to determine where tents will be allowed, Baird said Monday.

Council also approved drawing money from reserves to cover expenses for the rest of the year.

These costs include:

• $576,000 for 24-hour security at two washroom facilities and two recreation centres for encampment residents to use.

• $86,000 for a bylaw supervisor to oversee enforcement.

• $143,000 for three park staff and a vehicle for clean-up and maintenance. 

During next year's budget process, council will decide if it will continue to provide this funding, plus two more support workers, long term, Baird said.

How enforcement will work

If an encampment is in a prohibited area or a cluster of more than five tents, street outreach workers will respond within three days to direct encampment residents to another location that's allowed, says the protocol.  

If a tent remains, bylaw officers will respond within four days of the initial complaint and issue a trespass notice, the protocol says. Encampment residents will have up to four days to leave. 

Residents can also file complaints to the city via email, said Baird.

Outreach workers will continue engaging with residents to find alternative shelter options and help solve issues that prevent them from accessing shelters, such as if they don't have identification or need to store their belongings, the protocol says. 

Police will become involved if residents don't leave voluntarily. 

Once encampment residents leave, parks staff will coordinate the cleanup within three days, according to the protocol. 

If a tent is in an area that's allowed, an outreach worker will stop by to identify if there are any health or safety issues such as exposed electrical wiring, accumulation of discarded needles, use of propane tanks or possession of weapons. If there are, Hamilton police will respond. 

If there are no health or safety issues found, or they're resolved, residents will be allowed to stay, the protocol says. 

Threats made over tiny homes: councillor

In addition to the encampment protocol, council also approved the tiny shelter pilot project on Friday. The pilot will see the encampment at Strachan Linear Park soon be converted to a group of 25 insulated structures. 

Coun. Cameron Kroetsch, who represents Ward 2, where the site is located, has received pushback from some residents.

He told council he's received emails and voicemails and seen social media posts with "direct threats of physical violence and also promises of an ongoing harassment campaign" against unhoused Hamiltonians. 

"We can't turn this into a situation where generations of systemic failure at other levels of government make us turn on people who have nothing to lose," Kroetsch said. 

"Violence is not the answer." 

The cabins will replace the existing encampment and be an improvement, he said. The Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters will be running the two-year pilot, providing residents with social support and waste collection. 

It will also be seeking public input in the coming weeks, Kroetsch said.