Stop the Planned Encampment Evictions at ICH

The Issue

Residents at the unhoused encampment beside the ICH in Kingston/Katarokwi and their allies are concerned that the City is moving ahead with their eviction plans as decided at the June 29, 2022 City Council Special Meeting. We’ve seen the City evict smaller encampments throughout the summer, and there is a history of large encampment evictions in the fall.

We support the encampment residents’ desire to stay where they are, beside lifesaving services and together as a community. We agree with encampment residents’ and ICH staff concerns that an eviction during the current drug poisoning crisis will almost certainly cause preventable deaths.

In signing, we declare our support for the letter below signed by 58 residents and 17 friends of the ICH encampment. We demand a halt to evictions as well as supportive, barrier-free, geared-to-income housing options appropriate for all people, including those who use substances.

Letter from Residents

We the residents that camp beside the Integrated Care Hub believe we should be allowed to stay and not be 'relocated' or evicted.

The City will say there are shelter beds and other housing options. These beds and options do NOT meet our needs! Some of us cannot be in these options because we have pets, because we have been banned, or because we find shelter rules really restrictive. None of these options have the community and support we've created for ourselves, or the safety of ICH.

We are sure that if the city goes on with the eviction people will die. Directly beside the ICH, encampment residents have access to life-saving services. The ICH staff have not only saved more than 600 people there, but have saved people in the encampment itself. Removed from our present location, where seconds count, lives will be at risk. If any of us die of an overdose because we were moved from the ICH, that will be the City's fault. Evictions (and 'relocations') are unnecessary, dangerous and heartless. We deserve respect too. Especially when there is not enough affordable housing.

The City needs real housing options , which can accommodate our drug use, based on harm reduction. We have housing for seniors, people with mobility issues, women and children fleeing domestic violence. In fact all of those groups are represented here too. There is no reason there cannot and should not be a place for us too. We need to understand drug use as the health issue it is, stop the moralizing and judgment, and create housing that can accommodate our needs.

Signed,

Residents (58)