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As PResented by
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I am Lesley Crompton, speaking as a resident of the Region, a co-creator working on the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness and as an advocate that supports individuals during encampment evictions. Too much time, energy and money both Regional and community has been spent on this by-law rather than addressing the underlying problems and solving homelessness. This by-law change will not eliminate encampments, reduce the number of individuals living rough or clear 100 VIC before April 1 2026.
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The “newly” proposed Individual Housing Plan option is only for the 2 - 4 individuals that were resident on April 16 2025. All other residents aren’t eligible for this support.
Recently I was involved in the Cambridge eviction of 2 older women (50+ with medical issues). These women had been working with Regional outreach and service providers such as Starling (housing partner) in the months (yes months) leading up to the eviction date. Paperwork done, on all the appropriate waiting lists, income verified, ID confirmed, eligibility for emergency shelter and other supports validated. These are all tasks that are on an Individual Housing Plan amongst others. Everyone did their part and I thank all the outreach workers and shelter providers for their hard work. Yet on eviction day, there were no housing options, emergency shelter or otherwise. Ultimately, The Unsheltered Campaign put them up in a hotel for 3 nights until shelter space became available. I want to note that shelter space became available as the shelter provider was given funding for 5 more beds around the same time. Both women remain in the shelter and continue to work on their Individual Housing Plan as a condition of having a bed in the shelter.
Recently I was involved in the Cambridge eviction of 2 older women (50+ with medical issues). These women had been working with Regional outreach and service providers such as Starling (housing partner) in the months (yes months) leading up to the eviction date. Paperwork done, on all the appropriate waiting lists, income verified, ID confirmed, eligibility for emergency shelter and other supports validated. These are all tasks that are on an Individual Housing Plan amongst others. Everyone did their part and I thank all the outreach workers and shelter providers for their hard work. Yet on eviction day, there were no housing options, emergency shelter or otherwise. Ultimately, The Unsheltered Campaign put them up in a hotel for 3 nights until shelter space became available. I want to note that shelter space became available as the shelter provider was given funding for 5 more beds around the same time. Both women remain in the shelter and continue to work on their Individual Housing Plan as a condition of having a bed in the shelter.
Current statistics show that the average shelter stay is 208 days or approximately 7 months. So, at least, 7 months, to move from emergency shelter to permanent housing using an Individual Housing Plan. These Individual Housing Plans are not a new concept and have been in use for years by the Region’s Service Providers. The only new aspect is now it will be written and shared. Historically, IHPs have not been provided to residents in writing. So finally, a resident will have a written document of the plan and what they are agreeing to. They can be shared with this document with a trusted individual to ensure they understand what they are agreeing to and can be supported accordingly.
The average shelter occupancy rate is 95% as per the Region of Waterloo October/ November 2025 statistics. 95% of the beds are filled every night. It is important to highlight that vacant beds are not necessarily interchangeable due to gender and age. Also, there are no new shelters or housing service providers opening between now and March 31 2026.
So, could the 2 - 4 residents that resided at 100 Victoria April 16 2025 get a bed and move before April 1 2026. Possibly as long as the alternative accommodation meets their needs, they aren’t on the service restrictions list, need specialized medical support, have a partner or a pet.
The average shelter occupancy rate is 95% as per the Region of Waterloo October/ November 2025 statistics. 95% of the beds are filled every night. It is important to highlight that vacant beds are not necessarily interchangeable due to gender and age. Also, there are no new shelters or housing service providers opening between now and March 31 2026.
So, could the 2 - 4 residents that resided at 100 Victoria April 16 2025 get a bed and move before April 1 2026. Possibly as long as the alternative accommodation meets their needs, they aren’t on the service restrictions list, need specialized medical support, have a partner or a pet.
"The reality is, come March 31, there will still be individuals living there," she told CBC News. "There's not enough shelter space, not enough supportive housing, transitional housing or deeply affordable housing for these individuals."
The other individuals living at 100 Victoria are considered not a resident as per the by-law and “the Region will offer to bring such person who is not a Resident into the Region’s housing stability system and endeavour to provide the person with appropriate housing options, subject to resources being available and such person cooperating with the Region’s outreach staff. “
So given that clause, PEOPLE will be residing at 100 Vic on Mar 31 2026, I ask the Regional Council come March 31 2026 at 11:59 pm, how will you be removing these People, Human Beings from 100 Victoria? Violently with police, arrests, bulldozers?
So given that clause, PEOPLE will be residing at 100 Vic on Mar 31 2026, I ask the Regional Council come March 31 2026 at 11:59 pm, how will you be removing these People, Human Beings from 100 Victoria? Violently with police, arrests, bulldozers?
I want us all to be clear that this proposed by-law amendment has nothing to do with taking a human rights approach to homelessness, wanting to solve homelessness or supporting the Region’s plan to end chronic homelessness. If that was the goal, then at a minimum:
This proposed amendment is to present a positive image to the court and the Judge so he will rule in the Region’s favour in February and allow a legal eviction of the 100 Victoria encampment.
- Co-creators, especially lived experts, working on the Region of Waterloo Plan to end chronic homelessness would have been consulted as to whether proposing this amendment even has value. Instead and similar to the initial by-law proposal, the Co-creators and the Plan to end Chronic homelessness process blindsided by the proposed amendment.
- The Region would be offering the same “deal” to all 100 Vic residents regardless of date of arrival. Rather than maybe, sort of “endeavour to provide the person with appropriate housing options, subject to resources being available and such person cooperating with the Region’s outreach staff.”
- It would provide any alternative encampment locations or safe tenting spaces for the 1000+ living unsheltered in the Region. The lack of is the exact reason why mediation failed.
This proposed amendment is to present a positive image to the court and the Judge so he will rule in the Region’s favour in February and allow a legal eviction of the 100 Victoria encampment.
