Nanaimo’s tent city has nearly doubled in size in the past week, says the municipality’s acting mayor.
The latest report from city staff puts the number of tents at close to 90, Ian Thorpe said Friday.
A week ago, there were about 45 tents on the city-owned industrial property at 1 Port Dr. Tents were set up May 17 by the region’s homeless community and its supporters, including some from the Lower Mainland.
Nanaimo is one of several B.C. communities, including Victoria and Saanich, trying to grapple with a lack of affordable and supportive housing, and a shortage of services, as tent cities spring up within their borders.
In Nanaimo, tent city residents received notices under the Trespass Act to leave the property by 9 a.m. on May 29. Residents instead held an on-site rally and vowed to remain.
The city did not take any action to remove people.
However, Thorpe said the city has taken a number of steps to address the situation as it recognizes concerns of residents and nearby businesses.
Nanaimo has installed portable washrooms on the property. It also removed a chain-link gate, in order to provide access in case of emergencies.
Although city hall has said it has the option of pursuing an injunction to move out tent city residents, it had not gone to B.C. Supreme Court as of Friday.
“Council does not support the continuation of the tent city,” Thorpe said.
“The city is following necessary process to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.”
The city is committed to working toward a long-term solution, he said, but “it is not something that we can solve overnight.”
The tent city will be the subject of an in-camera meeting on Monday, Thorpe said. Karen Fry, the city’s fire chief and director of public safety, and legal advisers will be addressing council.
Nanaimo will be updating the situation in the coming week, he said.
Meanwhile, the DisconTent City Facebook page refers people to a fundraising page to raise money for supplies, such as tarps, kitchen supplies, tents and food. As of midday Friday, it had raised $260 of a $3,000 goal.
Advocates say the community created at the tent city offers stability to those living there, and people do not have to move their belongings continually.
The tent city has also raised awareness about the issue of homelessness in Nanaimo, they say.
