A Sarnia city/county councillor wants to provide people experiencing homelessness a dedicated area to set up a tent encampment.
Council supported Chrissy McRobert's request on Friday, asking staff to investigate possible properties to accommodate those individuals and give them a sense of permanency.
"Our city is suffering with folks that are suffering homelessness and we've seen a lot of tents popping up all over the city, which is occupying a majority of time from certain police officers," McRoberts said. "I suggest that we somehow find a piece of land somewhere that we will approve through testing or changing bylaws so that these folks have somewhere to build a little tent city."
McRoberts thinks about 25 to 30 people, who choose to live rough rather than be accommodated through shelters, would use the space this winter.
"[Continuously] disrupting everything that they own in the world, in one tent, is not healthy for them, it's not healthy for the city," she said.
"[A dedicated area] will help the business owners. There may be an area where we can put them. There are going to be neighbours that are not happy about that, but we have to look at the mental health of these folks and for the majority of the city to want what's best for the people in the community. So, there has to be a piece of land, whether that's donated or the city says, 'we'll just meet for the winter and allow this to happen.'"
McRoberts asked that a portable washroom also be supplied.
"A porta-potty to look after what is now just defecating all over the parks and in behind businesses," she said. "It's just not a healthy situation and we need to take advantage of being in charge of changing the bylaws and step up and look after our community."
Mayor Mike Bradley supported the idea and noted other communities moving in the same direction.
"I think it could be turned around quite quickly to come back, looking at the parks bylaw and other solutions," said Bradley. "I saw Waterloo is doing the exact same thing."
Councillor Terry Burrell asked that the city's liabilities and responsibilities be clearly outlined.
The County of Lambton, Sarnia Police Service and the Community Safety and Wellbeing Leadership Group will be consulted.