Chatham-Kent Council approved a series of directions to administration during a special Council meeting on Monday, July 28, 2025 focused on encampments.
However, the portion of Mayor Darrin Canniff’s motion to require encampments be 100 metres away from residences and businesses, was referred back to staff for more information.
The four-hour long meeting included 16 in-person deputations from members of the public and 28 in total, many from the area of Chatham near the PUC property, where a large encampment has recently moved to.
The following points in Mayor Canniff’s motion were approved by Council, which included several amendments suggested by members of Council:
– 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.
– Regular neighbourhood communication begins immediately with appropriate members of administration residents and business owners in the 325 Grand Ave E, Chatham property area until further notice.
After a lengthy debate, Chatham Councillor Alysson Storey entered a successful motion to refer the following point from Mayor Canniff’s original motion, back to staff:
The current encampment protocols be amended for the City of Chatham to require encampments be 100 metres away from:
– Any private property line with a habitable residence.
– Any business.
– 25 m from a construction site
– 10 m from recreational path
Storey requested administration include in a report to Council options where encampments could be located, using the setback options of 25 metres, 50 metres and 100 metres.
The report is set be back before Council at their next meeting, scheduled for August 11, 2025.
“Encampments are an incredibly complex and constantly evolving situation,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff, in a media release prior to the meeting.
“While we must show empathy and understanding for those experiencing homelessness, we also have a responsibility to support the safety, well-being, and quality of life for neighbouring residents and businesses. I’m calling this special meeting of Council so we can work together as a community to find an actionable and compassionate path forward.”
For information and frequently asked questions about encampments in Chatham-Kent, residents are encouraged to visit www.chatham-kent.ca/community/housing/Pages/Encampment-FAQ.aspx
Watch for more on this story.
