Encampments in Guelph

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New Public Space Use bylaw

On October 1, 2024, the City’s new Public Space Use bylaw came into effect. This bylaw aims to achieve a balance that allows for spaces owned or operated by the City to be accessed and enjoyed by all residents for their intended community purposes, and the safeguarding of certain special-purpose and sensitive areas, while having compassion and consideration for those who are living unsheltered.

It does not prohibit encampments in Guelph, but instead regulates certain areas and specifies conditions which are intended to balance various uses of public space, including safe use by those living in or accessing an encampment and areas nearby. Some of these conditions include:

That temporary structures must be a certain distance from railways and waterways to minimize risk for those living unsheltered, and be separated at specific distances from splashpads and schools to ensure safe access for other community members;
Restricting the use and occupation of environmentally sensitive areas to protect natural habitats and drinking water safety;
Regulating how propane tanks are kept and stored in or around temporary structures on City property to prevent accidents, and;
Preventing misuse of municipal electricity, water, and other infrastructure for safety and service continuity.

Public Space Use infographic

What is considered an encampment?

An encampment is a place where people experiencing homelessness or other significant life challenges gather and live together, often in tents or temporary shelters. More people are finding themselves without permanent or stable homes these days, which can be due to both local and widespread issues such as the lack of affordable housing, increase in housing costs, and increase in costs for basic needs. These impacts are leading to an increase in homelessness and encampments in Guelph and across the province and country.

Frequently asked questions

- A human rights approach
  
  City Bylaw officers respond to reports about encampments on public and private land with a human rights approach that’s aimed at helping people connect with the support they need. Our focus is not on the removal of people from encampments, but rather on making sure those living in them are safe and helping them find longer-term housing solutions.
  
  We take immediate action by visiting the encampment to check for potential health and safety concerns. Bylaw officers also identify and address violations related to the Public Space Use bylaw, Noise bylaw, or other bylaw violations that can impact others in the area. Staff will remove abandoned or vacant encampment structures on public property in permitted areas only when there are immediate impacts to safety. Removal of structures in non-permitted areas will only be completed once education and a request to the owner to remove the structure voluntarily has failed.
  
  Having first ensured the encampment doesn’t pose any immediate risks, Bylaw officers connect with community support agencies to attend and provide support for individuals. These agencies can help people living in encampments find more secure and longer-term housing options based on individual need, and also connect to health supports. Bylaw officers encourage people to move to more secure housing and make sure that encampments don’t affect other people’s access whether it’s to paths, parks, or private property.
  
  Since many people living in encampments may have nowhere else to go based on individual need, it’s unrealistic to expect that encampments will be eliminated entirely, but it’s possible to make sure people in encampments are safe and living with dignity. Reporting an encampment doesn’t mean we’ll remove it (and may also depend on if it is on a City-owned or operated space), but it does mean that people living there, and surrounding neighbourhoods, are supported and have access to resources.
- If an encampment is on private property, property owners should report the encampment to the City. Bylaw officers will visit the encampment to address any infractions of City bylaws. Bylaw officers will then provide the property owner with contact information for the appropriate community support agencies for further support. Alternatively, City staff will reach out to these organizations directly with the property owner’s consent.

How to help

Individuals can help by volunteering for community organizations, making donations to those organizations, or advocating to all levels of government for better resources to address the root causes of homelessness and create more support.
Call 911 if there’s a medical emergency or to report someone in distress.
For general questions or concerns about encampments, or to report one, call the City’s Bylaw team at 519-837-2529 or use the City’s Report a Problem map.
If you see or know of someone in need of assistance, contact Bylaw staff who can help direct individuals to agencies that will be able to offer support.