It’s deadline day at the tent city on the courthouse lawn.
In July, Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson ordered the site cleared and residents moved, with appropriate housing available, by Aug. 8.
Over the past month, the homeless camp has slowly been dismantled and the majority of residents moved to the Choices transitional shelter in View Royal and the former care home on Johnson Street, converted into supportive housing units.
By 8:30 a.m. disposal crews were heaving barrel loads of refuse from camp sites into three large bins along Quadra Street. The majority of tents have been cleared with metal fencing barricading the bare ground.
A few tents and structures remain. Any remaining campers wanting to move will be helped to do so today. Some have said they want to stay.
Raging Grannies Alison Acker and Virginia Daniel sat in lawn chairs at the entrance to the camp.
“The purpose is really to be a witness line to any problems that might arise,” said Acker, who has visited tent city a few times a week since Christmas. “It’s a wonderful protest camp but it fulfilled its purpose... It allowed people to rest and make friends, build a family. They are better of because of it.”
Across the street, Christ Church Cathedral is holding vigil for the camp and will have a service this evening for those involved.
A few blocks away at the Johnson Street building where the majority of camp homeless are moving to, workers are getting the final floor of rooms ready.
Housing director Andy Bond said the move is on schedule and the majority will take place this afternoon.
