Whereas unauthorized camping has affected in negative ways residents, businesses, the environment and, in many cases, those experiencing homelessness throughout the province; And whereas the COVID-19 Pandemic has exacerbated the effects of, and very significantly increased the occurrences of, unauthorized camping: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province to prioritize working with local governments in understanding the effects of unauthorized camping on all parties and actively participate in mitigating those that are deleterious to the health and welfare of people, to the environment and to business.
Attorney General and Minister responsible for Housing Homelessness across British Columbia has been exacerbated by the dual public health emergencies of the COVID-19 pandemic and the toxic drug crisis, as well as an affordable housing crisis. This has led to an increase in unsheltered homelessness and encampments in both urban and rural communities. Encampments are not a safe or suitable form of housing or shelter. People deserve real homes and stability. The Province is working in coordination with multiple ministries, all levels of government and partnering with communities to keep people safe, healthy and connected to services and housing supports. In Spring 2020, the Province acted quickly to help 605 people move from unsafe encampments in Victoria and Vancouver into indoor spaces with health and well-being supports. 90 to 95 percent remain stably housed. In Spring 2021, the Province again worked with the cities of Victoria and Vancouver and non-profit service providers to close large and unsafe encampments in parks through access to indoor spaces and coordinated efforts to prevent new encampments from growing. In Victoria, 229 people moved from city parks into shelter and housing between December and May. In Vancouver, 296 people moved from a Strathcona Park encampment and into shelter and housing between December and May. The Province takes a Housing First approach to homelessness and encampments, prioritizing outreach, access to shelter and housing, as well as health and social supports. This approach includes BC Housings work with local governments and local authorities to address encampments as they arise, ensuring peoples health, safety and access to housing supports. This includes working together to create suitable housing options with wraparound supports. Communities across BC have also prepared responses for unsheltered people through the federal- provincial Safe Restart funding opportunities such as the 100-million Strengthening Community Services Fund, which provides for temporary expanded shelters and supports for vulnerable populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Attorney General and Housing also leads the coordination of cross-ministry responses to homelessness and liaises with local governments to provide information and best practices resources. To better support local governments and community partners, the ministry is developing a Local Government Homeless Encampment Response Resource to provide guidance, best practices and key contacts and information on resources for people in encampments. This resource is currently in draft form and will be finalized after the remaining community engagements take place in springsummer 2022. The ministry will continue to work with partners and communities to ensure people sheltering in encampments stay safe and are connected to the supports they need to exit homelessness. The most effective path to addressing encampments is through immediate and coordinated responses, access to stable and suitable housing, as well as health and social supports. There is still much work to do to address homelessness and encampments across BC and local governments are a key partner in coordinating responses to protect the most vulnerable citizens and the community. Ministry of Forests The Ministry of Forests provides for the opportunity to camp on Crown land for limited periods in limited locations as described in the Land Use Policy Permissions. https:www2.gov.bc.caassetsgovfarming-natural-resources-and-industrynatu…- water-usecrown-landpermissions.pdf Camping on Crown land for less than 14 days is permitted on Crown land outside of municipal boundaries as a bare licence. Camping on Crown land within municipal boundaries would require a Land Act authorization which may not be approved if the use under the authorization would contravene municipal by-laws. Questions about camping on Crown land can be directed to the local FrontCounter BC office. Problems with unauthorized camping on Crown land can be brought to the attention of Compliance and Enforcement.