Tent encampment at Regina City Hall continues to grow – Regina | 24CA News
Nearly a month after the primary tent went up in entrance of Regina metropolis corridor, extra tents have appeared. What began as a motion to attract consideration to the difficulty of homelessness has grown into an encampment, highlighting the necessity for help and housing.
A camp resident says the primary week at camp was a breeze till cooler and moist climate circumstances hit.
“It was nice … and then there’s a rainstorm. Then I woke up the next morning and there’s like makeshift tents all over the place,” mentioned Pynk Mitton. “We don’t have the necessity to properly tie everything down with shoelaces or whatever we could find.”
Mitton mentioned folks have arrange on the encampment for security and shelter.
“This was mainly meant for the women to feel safer within the community,” mentioned Mitton. “Some of us battle with dependancy. So, one of many main addictions is fentanyl.“
Mitton mentioned the tent encampment is a protected space for residents to have interaction of their dependancy but it surely’s additionally a spot the place folks can try for sobriety. Other assets come into the tent encampment to do wellness checks on the residents.
Camp residents had hoped to satisfy with the mayor and metropolis council, however Mitton claims a bunch of them have been escorted out throughout a metropolis corridor assembly the place the general public was welcomed to attend.
“Mayor has not responded … she does not care,” mentioned Mitton. “I was floored.”
Mitton mentioned camp residents usually are not asking for brand new homes to be constructed however to show present properties which can be boarded up into shelters for the homeless.
“We don’t need new houses being built. That’s just more money out of the pocket of taxpayers,” Mitton mentioned. “Open it up and do affordable housing, bring back rental supplement for everybody, not just people that aren’t on assistance.”
The residents of the encampment obtain every day breakfast, lunch, supper and snacks in between. Wellness checks are supplied each hour or so. Mitton mentioned Narcan has been used a number of instances and there have been zero fatalities.
“I’m not homeless. I’m just houseless because my home is wherever my heart is,” mentioned Mitton.
In an emailed assertion, the City of Regina mentioned they proceed to observe the encampment on the City Hall Courtyard and their precedence is the well being and security of all residents.
“The City of Regina continues to collaborate with provincial government agencies and community-based organizations to connect residents experiencing houselessness in our community with services and supports they need,” the City mentioned.
“The Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Street Project Team attends the encampment regularly to provide a needle exchange program. The Ministry of Social Services is on-site twice each week, the Regina Downtown Community Support Program engages with camp residents daily, and Saskatchewan Health Authority/RFPS Overdose Outreach Team responds as needed.”
According to the City’s assertion, there are 72 tents within the Courtyard, and the Regina Fire and Protective Services conduct common wellness checks of camp residents. To date, RFPS has recorded 9 overdoses within the camp.
There are additionally public washrooms obtainable in City Hall throughout business hours and a 24-hour momentary washroom was arrange. Garbage removing happens on the tent encampment continuously.
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