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City council votes to rescind encampment protocol in Hamilton parks

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Hamilton councillors have voted in favour Wednesday of rescinding the city’s encampment protocol.

It was introduced in 2023, which allowed temporary shelters in groups of no more than five with certain distances and rules as part of the guidelines.

The protocol has been met with a lot of contention from residents in recent years over concerns of safety and cleanliness.

The motion being deliberated Wednesday was put forward by Ward 14 Coun. Mike Spadafora, seconded by Ward 6 Coun. Tom Jackson.

It also comes after a ruling from a judge last month found that Hamilton did not violate anyone’s charter rights while enforcing the city’s bylaw in parks.

City staff had been directed to report back as of Feb. 5, at the next GIC meeting, with a plan to transition from the current encampment protocol to the City of Hamilton Parks bylaw.

The motion also directs staff to continue working with local groups to find shelter space for those living in encampments.

There are currently over 1,500 people experiencing homelessness in Hamilton and about 300 encampments, according to city data.

But the city has recently added 272 new beds to the system, including 80 temporary outdoor shelter beds, which are in the process of opening on the Barton-Tiffany lands.

This is in addition to the 618 shelter beds that already exist.

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