Demonstrators camp outside Hamilton City Hall

A protest in downtown Hamilton has a number of people camped out in front of Hamilton City Hall.

This protest started after city councillors voted against a motion last week that would have seen two parking lots in Stoney Creek turned into affordable housing projects.

Housing advocate Angela Vos said on Friday that there were about 65 homeless people camped out, with even more people setting up since then.

Shantel Scott says the system took her son away from her back in September because of her disability.

“It makes me feel really hurtful, because I miss him daily, every day,” Scott said. “I want him back, the only way is to get housing, I’m asking for help.”

She said she has had five strokes and the left side of her body is paralyzed.

READ MORE: Encampment outside Hamilton City Hall continues

Scott moves around the city with her service dog, Dakota, who helps her with her strokes and emotional needs.

She has an apartment, but Dakota isn’t allowed there, so she slept in her chair at the encampment Friday night.

“I sleep on the chair with my dog, it’s all I have,” she said.

Vos said she remains dedicated to helping the homeless community find safe housing in Hamilton, and said the homeless situation is spiraling out of control.

“I’m finding this one lady under a frozen blanket the other day, the blanket was stiff, solid around her, and all she was doing is whimpering under the blanket,” Vos said.

Vos said she has sent several emails to the city but has not heard anything back.

“If we can all work together as a community then we can eradicate this problem, but ignoring it is only exacerbating the problem.”

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Vos isn’t homeless but has been spending the past few nights at this encampment.

She said it’s exhausting but she’s glad that she’s helping out.

Michael Venema has been homeless in Hamilton for the past seven years. He said he has lost friends from drug overdoses.

“We need a safe place to go and somewhere affordable as well,” Venema said.

Venema said if the bylaw officers do come and take his belongings, he has nothing to lose.

“I’ve had everything taken from me on numerous occasions, you just have to start over and you do what you got to do.”

In a statement sent to CHCH News Friday night, the city says bylaw officers issued ten notices of trespass on Thursday.

They said municipal law enforcement and Hamilton police will continue to work together towards compliance throughout next week.

The city also said there are ongoing talks with residents and staff to address the housing crisis.

One of the organizers told CHCH News that because of the media coverage, many of the people staying there have been reconnected with family and friends.

The camp at one point had more than 60 people.