Homeless residents set up tents at Hamilton City Hall after rail trail evictions

The City of Hamilton is facing a brand new homeless encampment right in front of City Hall following recent evictions.

Homeless activists say it’s a response to the ongoing eviction of homeless people along the city’s rail trail.

Activists organized tents at City Hall and made a point to say that people are being forced out of their encampments along the rail trail day by day and are being terrorized.

Now they’re demanding a meeting with the mayor or other officials from the city to find out where they should go next.

One man who’s going to be occupying a tent at City Hall – known as JP – says people who were camped out along the rail trail as a last refuge for the homeless have been going through a nightmare.

“We’re pretty much being swept – is what we call it. It’s a sweeping action. It’s like a horror movie. This should not be happening,” said JP.

After the city cleared out encampments from its parks, some homeless people turned to the wooded area along the rail trail.

Police and bylaw officers started taking down their tents earlier this month and destroying their belongings.

READ MORE: City of Hamilton begins rail trail encampment teardown, residents left struggling

“Things were bad then and they’ve just gotten worse. The level of fear and desperation and frustration on the trails is increasing day by day,” said Zeinab Khwaja from the Encampment Support Network.

Officials don’t have any firm figures, but say a dozen or so homeless people may be living along the trail

“Can we have someone come down and talk to us,” said JP.

In the face of evictions, those living along the trail want to talk to someone, like the mayor.

“We’re here at City Hall because we have no choice. We’re desperately asking for a meeting with someone at the very top who has given these orders,” said JP.

“We’re doing everything we possibly can at this point. We’ve extended our shelter system by 80 per cent,” said Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath.

The mayor says the city is doing what it can, including the tiny home shelters that ran $5 million over budget. But Horwath says the provincial government has to step in.

“It’s a tough situation that the entire province, country, and continent are dealing with. We’re trying our very best. The reality is, people need access to the green spaces in the city as well. They need access to their parks and there’s a requirement that we do everything we can, but we are actually taking on responsibilities that belong with the province particularly,” Horwath said.

JP and the others have not said how long they’re going to be living in the tents outside of City Hall. They’re asking the city to work with them until they can find a place to live.

READ MORE: Hamilton Encampment Support Network rally at Corktown Park