(02-23-2023, 11:39 PM)ac3r Wrote: Seems like a couple years ago we were on a good path to a pseudo-temporary-solution with things like A Better Tent City. It was growing and seemed like a better-than-a-tent option (though they had some stipulations: no hard drug use, which would have prevented many from being eligible, though drugs were still common). Then when the City of Kitchener used a backhoe to take down 2-3 tents on Charles Street in 2020 (or whenever) and it caused a lot of negative reaction, rightfully so, the cities and region got kind of screwed.
Just a correction: It was the Region of Waterloo that ordered the take-down of the tents, via Karen Redman.
As for the problem of chronic homelessness -- in many cases, you can't help some of these people. The best we can do is build 'affordable' housing (generally apartments or townhouses) but many of those folks wouldn't make it in such accommodations. Many have addiction and mental health issues that just wouldn't work in settings where there are other people around.
They have kicked people out of 'A Better Tent City' which had minimal rules. If you can't make it there, you won't make it anywhere and you will be homeless for life.