The City of Stratford has pushed back against claims that people experiencing homelessness near the transit terminal are being evicted, saying no one is being forced to leave the encampment there.
In a public update released August 7, the city directly addressed rumours circulating on social media. “This is completely untrue. The encampment is not being cleared out, and nobody is being evicted,” the statement said.
The confusion began after mental health advocate Tanner Bergsma posted that he understood residents had been told to vacate the site by August 31. Bergsma later apologized for the misunderstanding after speaking with city officials.
On August 6, city staff used a loader to remove items damaged by recent rainstorms from the encampment near the Downie Street parking lot and Cooper Terminal. The city said this work was done with the consent and cooperation of people staying there.
“City staff brought in a loader to help clean up some items at the encampment that were damaged by recent rainstorms, or no longer needed. This was done with the co-operation, support, and the consent of individuals at the encampment,” the City of Stratford explained.
The city’s approach to the encampment is coordinated through multiple departments, including Social Services, Stratford Fire Department, Stratford Police Services, and Infrastructure Services. Staff work daily with individuals to support safety and explore permanent housing options.
Stratford has committed $5 million to build 12 units of supportive housing at 398 Erie Street, pending provincial operational funding, as part of its long-term strategy to address homelessness. Earlier in July, a severe storm damaged tents at the encampment, leading to community donations of new and used tents organized by Councillor Geza Wordofa.
