Last remaining occupants pack up as Charlottetown tent encampment dismantled

Under the watch of two Charlottetown police officers, crews began dismantlinga tent encampment at the Charlottetown Events Grounds on Wednesday.

The two people still living there packed up and left after a notice to vacate was issued on Jan. 20 by the Charlottetown Fire Department, which was concerned about ongoing fire hazards.

The cleanup initially scheduled for Monday was delayed two days due to the weather. Police said there were no incidents.

One man, who did not want to do an interview, was busy placinghis belongings in totes provided by the province.

His make-shift home was a wooden structure covered with tarps, with stacks of firewood out front.

He slept at the site Tuesday night as temperatures dipped to about 9 C.

The man wasn't sure where he would sleep Wednesday night.

Officials are encouraging people experiencing homelessness to stay at the province's mobile housing units on Park Street in Charlottetown.

There are 50 beds at the mobile housing site, which operates from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m.

Housing Minister Matthew MacKay said the government hopes to have a 24/7 shelter in place by next winter.

One woman who stayed at the Park Street site Tuesday night said it was at capacity, and she got the last bed.