​Dear City of Cambridge...

​(CC: Region of Waterloo)

RE: ​Cambridge Encampment Evictions (Heatwave June 2025)

More of my thoughts and ramblings on this topic... Convieniently posted and published in no particular order! ​

Extreme heat and health

The City of Cambridge’s approach imposes an increased risk to the health and safety of these vulnerable residents. By initiating these evictions during a period of extreme weather, there is a display of clear disregard for public health guidance and the well-being of it's own community members.
For people living outdoors without ability to stay cool, these dangers are significantly heightened, making forced displacement during heat events a life-threatening act.
"With climate change, we’re experiencing extreme heat and humidity more frequently in our community.

​High heat is risky, but heat and humidity together are a more dangerous combination. High humidity impacts how well our bodies can cool down via sweating, to a point where we cannot cool our core temperature by sweating. At this point, heat stress and deaths can occur. "
Quoted from Unsheltered Campaign
"Contributer Statement" FOUND HERE
What are the risks of (extreme) heat?
​
The need for elemental relief for unsheltered people is both ongoing and growing at an exponential rate. As the impacts of climate change continue to intensify—including extreme heat, unpredictable storms, and poor air quality—those without shelter face an increase of exposure (direct physical contact & frequency of occurance) to dangerous weather conditions.
"Evicting encampments during an extreme heat event is wrong - hands down. It jeopardizes people's lives by removing them from the outreach support they are receiving. Evicting encampments doesn't solve homelessness - it makes it worse. Anything short of housing will result in an ongoing cycle of distress and homelessness."
- Dr. Erin Dej
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Locally, we are also experiencing a severe housing crisis and rising economic pressures, both of which further restrict access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

The overlapping of these crises necessitates an urgent, coordinated, and rights-based response.
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  • Alternate more positive municipal approaches available:
    • Potential for adding supports in moments of situational escalation, such as extreme weather, via further ERP policy development

Emergency or Public health crisis?

"What equates to "a danger of major proportions" or "serious harm"? Are the situational factors of the "persons" and the disproportionate impacts these impose observed in its consideration? How many people constitutes "persons"? Is this deemed based on a percentage of the population or via another number or approach?

Always left with more questions... "

​Other "nickels"in this "JAR":