Municipality of Chatham-Kent Council is set to consider creating a pilot encampment advisory committee, after a unanimous vote on Monday, September 22, 2025.
An motion by Chatham Councillor Michael Bondy was approved as amended.
The motion directs staff to return to Council with draft terms of reference for a pilot encampment advisory committee for Council’s approval.
The committee would be established to facilitate transparent communication between the municipality and the community regarding any proposed projects for the encampment.
This would take place prior to the submission of reports to Council and would give due consideration to balancing the impact of the programs on residential neighbourhoods with the needs of unhoused individuals, the motion says.
The encampment advisory committee would include equal representation from Council, residents living near the PUC or who have previously lived near a shelter or large encampment, business owners or operators, municipal administrative personnel and community groups, including people with lived or living experience.
The committee’s role would be to address the existing encampment at the PUC as well as any future encampments in Chatham-Kent that consist of 10 or more tents.
Council members, nearby residents, and business owners or operators may be interchanged depending on the location of the encampment.
Administration told Council on Monday the report to Council can be expected in the next few weeks.
Similar to previous reports on the encampment issue the last several weeks, the report drew 15 deputations from the public, all in favour of creating an encampment committee.
Information on encampments in Chatham-Kent can be found, here.
