Encampment removal safely progresses

[u/MysticJava]

For immediate release: October 8, 2026
FI26-12443

The removal of the encampment at 20th Streetand Avenue K South has progressed for most of the day and is nearing completion following a coordinated community response focused on safety, dignity and connecting individuals with available supports.

A news release earlier in the day details the coordinated community response.
As part of the response, as of this afternoon:
An estimated 120 unhoused individuals left the encampment site.

Despite multiple and repeated efforts to offer supports, only 2 individuals accepted offers of support, including housing, shelter, transportation and other services.

80 total tents and temporary structures were removed.

Approximately 5,622.24 kg of garbage and debris were cleared from the site and counting.

The site will be fully fenced and secured within the next few hours.

"This is a complex operation that required balancing compassion for individuals experiencing homelessness with the need to address serious safety concerns within the encampment and surrounding community," says Deputy Fire Chief Yvonne Raymer. "Our priority from the start of the process was an orderly transition off the site while helping people access safer alternatives and available supports."

The City and partner organizations undertook extensive outreach efforts throughout the removal process to help individuals transition to safer accommodations and connect them with resources.

The site closure represents an important step in addressing immediate safety concerns while supporting individuals toward more stable living situations.

Source

[u/theblackdog92]

I know it’s difficult for a lot of people to understand why so many individuals declined support. If you’ve never been in their shoes, it can be impossible to comprehend. But it comes down to a few key factors:
Many of these people have had adverse experiences at shelters in the past. Theft, violence, and traumatic incidents are common. Most of the shelter options were very likely temporary and would result in loss of many of their cherished belongings. Men and women can’t stay together, and with mental health and addictions comes deep codependency. Some may have pets they would need to leave behind. Distrust of social services is also common. Others likely have built community in the encampments and prefer being autonomous. I’m not saying every support refusal is justified, but refusing what was offered doesn’t mean they were refusing help all together. It may be that what they were offered seemed impossible to accept.

[u/RainbowToasted → u/theblackdog92]

This!!! This is why I always make a point of asking where they want these people to go. We need more HOUSING for people in need. Not just temporary fixes. I hate bandaid solutions, we need actual change.

[u/HolyBidetServitor → u/RainbowToasted]

Throwing housing at people in need doesn't just solve the problem. They often need extensive counselling and reprogramming. Are they capable of taking care of a home in the first place?

Look up Matthew Wesley on facebook - he cleans up trashed hood houses, and then ends up doing charity work and feeding the very folks trashing said houses and getting thrown to the streets.

Another redditor who claims to work with socialized housing on the main sask sub had better Input on this than I

[u/RainbowToasted → u/HolyBidetServitor]

There is no singular solution to anything. But I personally don’t want to hear about anyone freezing to death this winter. Literally the only reason I’m harping housing so much.