Encampments March 2025

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Sunday March 23, 2025. Photo: Laura Repo

four tents, one camper. Photo: Laura Repo

Hi Laura,

Thank you for your dedication wanting to organize a community spring cleanup at Dufferin Grove Park. Your commitment to maintaining our shared spaces is truly commendable.

We acknowledge that certain areas of the park are currently occupied by individuals experiencing homelessness. Our teams are actively engaging with these residents to address their needs and assist in managing their personal belongings. It’s important to recognize that items which may appear as debris to some may hold significant personal value to others. When approaching these encampments, please be mindful that you are entering someone’s personal space, even within a public setting.

The City is committed to a people-first, human rights-based approach in assisting those living in encampments. The Encampment Office and Streets to Homes program consistently engage with residents at Dufferin Grove Park and surrounding areas to connect them with shelter and housing support. Our outreach efforts focus on building trusting relationships, addressing immediate health and safety needs, and facilitating access to permanent housing.

In collaboration with various City divisions and partner agencies, we provide comprehensive support services, including fire safety education, primary and mental health care, and other wrap-around services. Operational units also work diligently to remove waste and debris, ensuring that parks and other shared spaces remain accessible to all.

We advise against individuals independently cleaning or removing items from encampments. The City collaborates closely with encampment residents, Community Safety Teams, and security personnel to identify and address abandoned encampments. This coordinated approach ensures that personal belongings are handled respectfully and that support services are appropriately provided.