Whitehorse Needs Campsite Downtown For Homeless People

The executive director of Yukon advocacy group Safe at Home says the City of Whitehorse could help the housing crisis by providing an area for people to legally camp in the city.

This is reported by CBC News.

On Monday, Kate Mechan addressed city council to suggest that as an interim solution to a crisis she says is getting worse. 

Mechan said that there are at least 228 homeless individuals in Whitehorse, and she called on the city to take a more proactive approach by donating or setting aside land on a seasonal basis for them.

That would allow people who have no option but to camp to "do so with dignity and supports," she said. 

Currently, this kind of encampment would be illegal. 

"The city's bylaws do not allow camping in public open spaces," said city spokesperson Oshea Jephson.

"Camping is limited to designated camping areas, like Robert Service Campground."

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