Residents experiencing homelessness on Leon Avenue are unhappy about their new living situation after the city relocated them to two city parks yesterday.
According to new rules set out by the city, they are not allowed to stay the entire day and can only stay at the two sites between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.
Several people who stayed at the new camp set up by the Kelowna Curling Club, said they now have no where to go during the day to keep warm, which is worse than staying on Leon Avenue where could stay warm in their tents.
About 20 tents were set up in a ball diamond near Recreation Ave overnight after those experiencing homelessness were moved from Leon Ave on Tuesday.
香蕉视频直播� Jen Zielinski (@Jen_zee)
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香蕉视频直播淚 understand it香蕉视频直播檚 not necessarily supposed to be their problem and it is a burden on society but homelessness isn香蕉视频直播檛 something that香蕉视频直播檚 going to go away and it香蕉视频直播檚 not something that can just disappear.
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READ MORE: Knox Mountain area residents hold protest over homeless camp move
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Gerard Joyal with Journey Home said it香蕉视频直播檚 difficult for the homeless to have to pack up everything and set it up day-after-day.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 really challenging for people living without homes,香蕉视频直播� said Joyal. 香蕉视频直播淭his is a stop-gap, this is not a solution. I think that香蕉视频直播檚 an important thing everybody needs to understand and remember that this is to alleviate some of the pressures, some of the hazards and some of the risks.香蕉视频直播�
He added that Journey Home will hopefully have their mat program available soon. He also said they香蕉视频直播檙e hoping to find a permanent location for more housing.
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Mark Burley, the executive director for the Downtown Kelowna Assoication, said the decision to move the encampment is a step in the right direction, but not a long-term solution.
香蕉视频直播淢ore than anything, we were worried about safety down there. The tents were butted up against each other. We had a fire Monday night 香蕉视频直播� there was a fire in the middle of the night because someone had a heating element inside their tent. It could香蕉视频直播檝e gone to other places,香蕉视频直播� Burley said.
香蕉视频直播淪o not to have them on Leon and to have tent residents in a place that香蕉视频直播檚 safer for them, I think is a win situation but it香蕉视频直播檚 certainly not an answer.香蕉视频直播�
He added that they anticipate homeless residents will still be seen downtown throughout the day.
香蕉视频直播淭hey will be going to the Kelowna Gospel Mission 香蕉视频直播� people avail themselves of their services. So if anyone wants something to eat, a coffee, a shower and as normally did that when they lived on Leon, I don香蕉视频直播檛 see why they might not come down and do it again.香蕉视频直播�
After dismantling the encampment on Leon Avenue the city put up no camping and no sidewalk obstruction signs along the street to make sure tents don香蕉视频直播檛 reappear.
About 20 tents were set up at the ball diamond on Recreation Avenue and there were no tents set up at the Knox Mountain Park area designated for those experiencing homelessness.
twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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