Petition to approve and enforce 100-meter distance from habitable private property lines for encampments in Chatham, On.

Since July 11, 2025, having an encampment located at 325 Grand E, 10 meters from habitable private property lines, has proven to cause horrific havoc. This includes, but is not limited to, immediate decrease in property value and an inability for residents to enjoy their own property due to the ongoing safety concerns caused by crime, indecent exposure, harmful debris, as well as human waste.

At the emergency council meeting July 28, 2025 the following items were approved:

·         Motion to refer # 1 to administration for a report back on August 11, 2025.

·         Administration continues to work in collaboration with ROCK to engage with individuals and prioritize them for services and housing as they become available.

·         Administration voluntarily transitions as many homeless individuals as possible to the new transitional cabins program thereby diminishing the number of people in encampments.

·         Administration actively pursues all options to reduce and end encampments in Chatham-Kent. This will include, but not be limited to, exploring opportunities to immediately deliver permanent supportive housing, and increased transitional cabins. A report back from administration on possible options and costing be returned to Council as soon as possible. The same recommendations should be presented to the provincial and federal government for financial assistance.

·         Administration explore local housing options that could be quickly converted into supportive housing and report back on feasibility and costs.

·         The current encampment protocols be amended to include a provision that there is to be no more than one tent per person, and that all personal items be stored within a tent (with exception of a bicycle and small structures for pets); and items in contravention to this will be removed following notice.

·         Administration be directed to enhance the frequency of refuse collection at encampment sites.

·         Administration bring back a by-law as soon as possible to allow for the enforcement of the approved protocols to begin.

·         Administration hire an additional temporary by-law officer to enforce these amendments.

·         Administration to report back recommendations on numbers and costs based on the approved protocol amendments.

·         CK Police install CCTV cameras where operationally required at the sole discretion of Chatham-Kent Police.

·         Administration bring a report back to the September 8, 2025 Council meeting a plan to engage partners from mental health, medical supports, addictions, housing, ROCK that could provide supports (including crisis support alongside enforcements) to the people staying at encampments.  This report should include creative solutions and best practice examples used across the province, and will also include related costs to CK.

Sign this petition to urge Chatham City Council to approve the implementation of a bylaw stating that all encampments within Chatham Proper be no less than 100-Meters from any habitable Private Property Line. We need to act now, to protect all of the neighborhoods in Chatham, not just the one currently affected!