‘Tent encampments’ and ‘tent cities’ are terms commonly used to identify largely unofficial camp sites of people who are unhoused. It gives them a hint of permanence, though with no guarantee or official status. Inhabitants of tent encampments are regularly told to ‘go away’, often with the assistance of bulldozers.
Communities are slowly, painfully becoming aware that the unhoused have, by and large, no other place to go. As a result, more and more communities realize that they must directly tackle homelessness. The following article begins with solutions proposed for the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario, and moves on explore solutions with different names in other communities.
Governments often consider ‘solutions’ that are temporary, short term and time limited. Ultimately there appears a certain exasperation that money is being spent on temporary fixes, instead of programs that address the problem of a lack of permanent affordable housing.
Temporary fixes across North America are identified by new names such ‘temporary villages.’ Some offer services, others don’t. Rare as yet are solutions directed towards more permanent community housing for those growing (and aging) numbers who simply can no longer afford it.
Read more from the CBC: Thunder Bay may join Canadian communities with temporary villages that help ease rise in encampments
