City negotiations in progress with encampment occupants at Dufferin Grove, as they demand housing during the gradual clearing process
In the heart of Toronto, Dufferin Grove Park has become a focal point for the city's homeless population, with its encampment being the largest known concentration of tents and makeshift structures. This situation has been a topic of discussion for some time, with the city adopting a strategy to concentrate resources like shelter or housing services in specific locations, such as Dufferin Grove Park, as early as 2018.
The current operation at Dufferin Grove follows a newer strategy previously used at locations like Allan Gardens and Clarence Square. City staff have been working diligently to connect individuals in the encampment with the resources they need. Since February, 56 people have moved indoors from Dufferin Grove, with nine of them securing housing. City Hall reports that five people have accepted shelter so far.
Meredith Laver, a community worker, played a crucial role in alerting staff to one person who needed help getting a shelter spot. The hope of this operation is a more "peaceful" resolution than the higher-profile clearings of 2021, which often led to physical clashes between officers and protesters.
However, not all encampment occupants are ready to leave. Cece Bella Cohen has been staying at Dufferin Grove Park since a different encampment clearing downtown approximately three months ago. Another camp occupant, Sem Sad, has been there since last fall. Sad expressed a desire for access to a regular public housing apartment instead of accepting an offer for supportive housing due to concerns about constant staff on-site and rules like curfews.
Mark Lindsay, another park occupant, argued that the money spent at Dufferin Grove could be better spent on housing for people like him. City Hall spent $418,300 at Dufferin Grove from February to the end of April, covering costs for street outreach, debris removal, community safety teams, security officers, and portable toilets.
The presence of tents in Dufferin Grove has been a point of friction with some residents of the neighbourhood. However, a woman biking along the park's central path expressed support for potential enforcement on Tuesday. As of Wednesday afternoon, at least nine tents and makeshift structures were still standing in the park.
The city's strategy aims to concentrate resources like shelter or housing offers to specific encampments, with the hope of providing a more structured and supportive environment for those experiencing homelessness. The future of Dufferin Grove Park and its encampment remains a complex issue, requiring continued dialogue and efforts from all parties involved.
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