Maple Ridge homeless camp residents face deadline

People living in a homeless camp in Maple Ridge, B.C., are bracing for more conflict,now that the city'sdeadline for them to leave has passed.

"Until they serve us with an injunction, we're not going anywhere," said Mike Lancaster, who has livedat the camp since January.

The controversial camp on Cliff Avenue has been home to as many as 40 tents. The city wants to clear the area and has opened a new, temporary winter shelter to house the campers.

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It also hasasked B.C. Housing to end a contract with the nearby Salvation Army branch, claiming it didn't provide adequate services for the city's growing homeless population.

The city served the tent dwellers with a notice to cease camping in the area, demanding theyremove all belongings by Tuesday, Oct. 6.Despite the deadline,17 tents remained at the site on Tuesday evening.

"They're making it impossible. They come by daily," said Lancaster.

"If anything's outside our tent, they take it. If we're not at our campsite, they take it. We have nothing left."

Neighbours want camp gone

The city says it'sprepared to get a court injunction to force the remaining squatters out a welcome response from some of the peoplewho livein the area.

"It affects my two daughters," said nearby resident SamanthaCampbell.

"I'm luckythey're teenaged, because otherwise I probablywouldn't let them on the street. That was their route ifthey wanted to walk town, nowthere's no way."

The new 40-bed RainCityHousingshelter opened its doors last week. Ithas hot food, water, and bathroom facilities. But for some living in the homeless camp, it isn't an option.

"I've been barred from over there because of someone there who made it uncomfortable, so where can Igo?" said Lancaster.

RainCity Housing said it couldn't speak to Lancaster's specific situation, but that"absolutely nobody" has been barred from the low-barrier shelter since it opened.

"Things do happen, but since we've been open, it's been quiet," said RainCityassociate directorSean Spear.

Spear said the housing agency ishoping to work with those living at the camp to provide an alternative place to stay.

"After people move in to the shelter, they're worked on finding a more permanent housing solution," said Spear. "That type kind of case managementhappens on day oneover the next sixmonths to find more permanent housing for everyone."