In their latest update to city council on the progress of implementing London's new housing and homelessness strategy, staff don't mince words when it comes to encampments.

"With conditions on the streets continuing to worsen, there was widespread agreement amongst leaders that action is required immediately," it reads.

The report says a strategy can't wait until the homelessness implementation plan is fully fleshed out and says any changes that can make an immediate difference will come to council quickly for approval.

Out in the wooded areas around the downtown core evidence, of the considerable need isn't hard to find.

CBC News took a walk through some of the wooded areas close to the city core where clusters of tents and makeshift shelters are still visible through the greening tree canopy.

Of the handful of campers who spoke to CBC News, most said security and safety are their two biggest concerns about sleeping outside. Some said they wanted the city to create a central place where encampments are allowed. Others said they're leery of grouping tents together because then they're forced to share close quarters with people they don't know.

"I feel safer outside than I do inside," said Amanda Doupe, who lives in encampment just east of Wellington Street and has slept outside for more than a year.

Michelle Mackie has lived outside in a tent for more than a year. She said rain and cold temperatures aren't her biggest challenge.

"Just trying to keep hold of your own stuff, it's Hell," she said.

A camper who goes by the name Walker agreed that holding onto possessions while living outdoors is a constant challenge.

"It's not the elements, it's the people," he said. "It's the stealing, it's dealing with everything that's going on out here. You can deal with the cold but you can't stop dealing with people burning tents and stealing stuff."