Following court ruling, unclear plan remains for encampment residents

Homes and property were destroyed. The court found that the city lacked housing needed to fill in the influx of mocassin flats residents.

“We identified 12 people at least, whose shelters were destroyed at the camp, who were not given housing and sort’ve sent back to the streets of downtown.” said Budau.

Arguments were made that BC housing at times did not have enough spaces available and some spaces had restrictions on who could take the space, specifically at the Knights Inn.

When asked, BC housing said that 43 people have moved into the Knights Inn. 162 new supportive homes are underway in Prince George. They estimate that 79 would be ready in “the next few months.”

They also noted that the 50-bed supportive housing complex on 1st Avenue should be operational by mid-April.

CKPG-TV spoke to one of the few residents of the encampment. He chose to not give us any identifying information adding that he did not want to be a spokesperson for the entire unhoused community.

He told us he chooses to live at mocassin flats. His shelter has everything he needs to survive. He added that by-law and RCMP officers frequently visit his to home to check up on him and feels a sense of security because of that.

He mentioned that he was offered housing last year, but chose to not go.

“I really just hope that the city stops wasting their money on these legal applications and reroute this money to things that are more effective.” said Budau.

Moving forward, it’s unclear what’s next until more spaces are available. The City says it will continue to work with BC Housing and other service providers as it continues to review the latest judgment.

by Oli Herrera

Following court ruling, unclear plan remains for encampment residents

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