Just over half of people living at 3 'high risk' encampments in Kitchener, Cambridge have moved

Just over half of the people livingat three "high-risk" encampments in the region have moved to a shelter space orpermanent housing, according to a report going to a regional council meeting Wednesday night.

Since the opening of House of Friendship's (HOF) new shelter space on Weber Streetin February and the creation of the region's hybrid outdoor shelteron Erb's Road, housing staff increased their efforts to connect people with the right services and supports.

"Using the by-name lists, individuals who met the eligibility criteria were given an offer to meet with House of Friendship staff to review suitability for the newly opened emergency shelter on Weber Street in Waterloo," the report said.

"Other individuals, where appropriate, were offered a space at the newly opened Erb's Road outdoor shelter."

The report focused on 53 individuals known to be living rough at the encampments on 100 Victoria St., Roos Island in Victoria Park and 150 Main St. in Cambridge as of March 1.Staff tracked their progress until May 11.

Of the53 individuals, 29 have transitioned into shelter space or housing, while 24 remain on site.

"Staff will continue working with outreach partners to offer individualized supports to those individuals remaining at the threehigh-risk encampments, as well as to those living rough at all encampments across Waterloo Region," the report said.

Victoria Street encampment

Of the 17 people living at the Victoria Street encampment:

• Six people were moved to Erb's Road.
• One cabin is being held for an individual and staff found the outdoor shelter was not suitable for another individual.
• Two moved to HOF's shelter space.
• The report says staff were not able to locate two individuals.
• Five people declined any offers of shelterand plan to remain on the site.

Roos Island, Victoria Park

Of the eight people living on Roos Island, located in Victoria Park:

• Four moved to Erb's Road.
• One person moved to HOF.
• One moved to permanent housing.
• Two people declined offers of shelter and plan to remain on the site.

Cambridge

Of the 28 people living at the 150 Mainencampment:

• Nine moved to Erb's Road.
• Four moved to HOF.
• One moved to a supportive housing unit.
• One moved to the shelter on King Street.
• Seven declinedoffers of shelterand plan to remain on the site.

The report added two people also declined offers to move to the hybrid shelter on Erb's Road and have since left the site. It was also found the hybrid shelter was not suitable for two others and staff could not locate two individuals.