Greater Sudbury’s encampment population has doubled in a year

In Energy Court, the number of tents at a homeless encampment is increasing near the former safe consumption site trailer, which the City of Greater Sudbury plans to repurpose as an overnight warming centre opening November 1. The city currently identifies 208 people living outdoors across 40 locations, a number that has doubled since last year, according to Gail Spencer, the city’s manager of housing stability and homelessness.

Rachelle, a resident of the encampment, expressed the challenges of living in a less visible area, including increased vulnerability to theft and the lack of overnight washroom facilities, which she finds degrading. The city plans to address some of these concerns by extending the hours of the Samaritan Centre to provide overnight washroom access starting October 1 and by including washroom facilities at the new warming centre.

While the city does not plan to provide porta-potties at encampment locations, it does offer garbage pickup and coordinates cleanups with community partners. The city is awaiting federal funding for winter resources to support the growing homeless population and has agreed to enhance services in the meantime.