Chatham-Kent Municipal Encampment Protocol

As the Municipality of Chatham-Kent moves forward with critical slope stabilization work along the north-west side of the Thames River between Third Street and Fifth Street in Chatham, the unhoused persons sheltering at 12 Thames Street are required to move for safety reasons.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent does not have designated areas where encampments are explicitly permitted, nor does it direct unhoused persons to specific locations within the Municipality. Under existing law, unhoused persons have a legal right to shelter on public lands if no other shelter option is available to them. The Municipal Encampment Protocol, established by Council on November 4 of 2024, contains rules to ensure that unhoused persons who shelter themselves on public lands do so in a way that tries to reduce impacts on other community members.

As per the Encampment Protocol, there are several restrictions in place as to where unhoused persons can shelter, which include being:

  • On or within 100 metres from municipal playgrounds, water parks, splashpads, beaches, or sports fields
  • On or within 100 metres from any elementary schools, childcare facility, assisted living facility, or other health or social service facility providing support or care services to youth or vulnerable populations including shelters
  • Within 10 metres of any private property line
  • In any actively used parking lot
  • In or on any public-use building or structure
  • Full list here: https://pub-chatham-kent.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=16611

The PUC property, which is Municipally owned, falls within the guidelines of the Encampment Protocol and as a result, unhoused persons may shelter there if they so choose.

The Municipality has services available to those experiencing homelessness through Victoria Park Place, the Transitional Cabins Project, which is slated to open in August of this year, and the Homeless Response Line. R.O.C.K. Missions is assisting in this matter and residents are encouraged to call their office at 519-351-1450 for assistance with transitioning.

The Municipality remains committed to working with encampment residents and community partners to provide outreach and support.