Some London homeowners who live near encampments in public parks say they have received no communication from city staff or social agencies about a proposed bylaw change that could allow tents to be pitched closer to residential properties.

A council committee will vote Tuesday on a staff recommendation to reduce the encampment buffer zone between tent facilities and residential property lines from 100 yards to 25 yards.

It’s a move that surprised some residents who feel ignored by the city and its strategies to support those living in tents, said Michael Laukner, whose house backs onto Watson Street Park in south London. which houses a city-run service depot. .

“Never did any of these stakeholders come and talk to us on our street to ask how this affects us and what they could do differently. This new proposal came out of nowhere,” Laukner said, adding that he learned about it last week through the news. reports.

“We receive notices about construction and other events happening on the street, but nothing has been brought to our attention about it. So there is an ongoing lack of communication and I think we Let’s be part of the solution to this homeless crisis in London.”

In June, the council adopted a by-law which requires that encampments be no closer than 100 meters to any private residential property line with a “habitable dwelling.” They must also be at least 100 meters from playgrounds, water parks, watering ramps and sports fields, as well as 150 meters from primary schools and daycares.

In a report, city staff said they were unable to enforce existing setback requirements and that outreach service providers fear too many people would be displaced by the residential property bylaw, forcing people to move further away from service depots.

“This proximity affects the current encampment and drop-off program,” wrote Kevin Dickins, deputy city manager. “The challenges of responding to the increasing volume of requests are impacting the ability to manage encampments in the community.”

They say inquiries increased by 33 percent this summer, compared to the previous year. Dickins was not available for an interview Monday.

Children’s safety at risk, parents say

Laukner said he bought his house on Grand Avenue 15 years ago because of its proximity to the park, but even so, his children, ages seven and 10, don’t feel safe playing there . They also witnessed thefts, open drug use and people urinating in the street, he said.

“Anything that brings encampments closer to us comes with these types of potential issues. We’ve found that when encampments are further away, people access the park differently,” he said.

Aliya Abdul-Hamid shares these concerns. The mother-of-two lives about 150 meters from Thornwood Park, near Wonderland Road North and Oxford Street West, which also has encampments. She said her car had been broken into several times and she felt her children’s safety was at risk.

“They’ve seen tents there, and it’s their safe place to play, but I feel like the city allowing (the encampments to come close) is taking away their childhood and their safety,” he said. she declared.

“Someone living in a tent will wander around looking for things they need. It’s scary to see a child or animals out in the park or walking around and come across needles or an aggressive person.”

Abdul-Hamid said she sympathized with those living in encampments and believed the city needed to find a solution that could help those in need, but also prioritize the safety of other Londoners.

Laukner wants the city to consult residents who will be directly affected by the potential bylaw change before implementing it.

“We are not being heard at all and that is a big problem,” he said. “We all understand there is a crisis and we are not against the encampments, but we are being ignored by the city and no one has consulted us on these changes.”