Dozens of individuals congregated outside a church in Toronto’s Kensington Market neighborhood on Thursday as municipal workers initiated the removal of a homeless encampment, citing fire safety concerns.
City vehicles were observed clearing tents and personal belongings from the encampment outside St. Stephen-in-the-Fields Anglican Church after approximately 12 residents voluntarily vacated the site.
Toronto Fire Services issued a directive to eliminate flammable materials and potential fire sources that had accumulated at the location on Bellevue Avenue, posing a heightened risk to safety, necessitating immediate intervention.
Following the city’s order on Tuesday, the eviction process was set in motion in conjunction with the church. A final notification mandating the removal of items from the street was issued by the city on Wednesday and prominently displayed within the vicinity.
Reverend Maggie Helwig, the church’s clergy, expressed surprise at the abrupt notice to vacate, mentioning the urgency with which residents had to hastily pack their belongings into garbage bags and seek alternative accommodations.
Expressing sorrow over the dispersal of her acquaintances residing in the encampment, Helwig lamented the emotional impact of the site clearance, emphasizing the close ties established with the residents affected.
The encampment at the church, featured in Helwig’s recent book, “Encampment: Resistance, Grace and an Unhoused Community,” received the Toronto Book Award just a day before the clearance operation.
Don Oravec, a panelist for the award, highlighted the significance of Helwig’s work in reshaping his perspective on homelessness, underscoring the collective responsibility of all governance levels in providing enhanced support for individuals experiencing housing insecurity.
Regarding the displaced residents, the city confirmed that shelter options were extended to all individuals from the Bellevue Avenue encampment, with seven individuals accepting the offered accommodations.
Despite the acceptance of shelter space by some residents, Helwig cautioned against viewing temporary shelters as definitive solutions, citing the transient nature of shelter accommodations and the challenges associated with sustained residency in such settings.
Expressing distress over the forced eviction, Helwig voiced concerns about the potential adverse effects on the mental well-being of individuals uprooted from their living spaces, emphasizing the traumatic nature of the situation.
Cece Bellacohen, a former Dufferin Grove encampment resident, joined supporters outside the church to demonstrate solidarity with the affected population, characterizing them as among the most vulnerable in the city.
Echoing Helwig’s sentiments, Bellacohen articulated reservations about the shelter system, citing instances of violence and safety concerns within shelters, advocating for policy reforms to address the complexities of homelessness more effectively.