By CKPG Today

Moccasin Flats

City now permitted to close Moccasin Flats

Aug 15, 2025 | 1:30 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — An application by the City of Prince George to close Moccasin Flats has been successful.

It follows a three-day hearing in BC Supreme Court which was presided over by Justice Elwood who authorized the immediate closure of the site to all but approximately 20 people who have been at the encampment since July 2.

BC Housing is currently working to connect these individuals with housing, including at the purpose-built transitional housing site at 3rd & London. Once any of these individuals is offered housing they will have seven days to leave the site.

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Justice Elwood, in his reasons for judgement, said:

“Much has changed since the City failed to persuade the Chief Justice and Coval J. that there was sufficient available housing in 2021. The HEART & HEARTH initiative, the memorandum of understanding between the Province and the City and the construction of the Third Avenue Site all reflect tangible progress and concerted efforts by government to address the needs of the occupants of the Encampment.”

Individuals who suffer from exceptional mental illness or past trauma may apply to the courts for an exception to the order if they feel the housing offered to them is truly not accessible.

The City of Prince George first sought to close Moccasin Flats in 2021 and “an order authorizing the closure of the site was rebuked by the Court, prompting the City to fundamentally re-evaluate its approach.”

Since 2022, the City has worked with the provincial government to bring more supportive, transitional, and low-barrier housing to the City which it notes “has led to a surge in the number of housing units available for people who would otherwise be sheltering outdoors in the City.”

Mayor Simon Yu says he’s “appreciative of the hard work of staff and our lawyers on this complex issue. It has been a long road and there is much work to be done to address homelessness in our community.”

In the coming weeks, the City will begin the work of closing and remediating Moccasin Flats, in accordance with “phased approach” set out in the order of Justice Elwood.

The City says it will continue to support and cooperate with BC Housing in its work to ensure that encampment occupants are informed and supported as they transition into indoor shelter.

Individuals in Prince George who do not have indoor shelter available to them may shelter overnight at 498 Ottawa Street between the hours of 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., in accordance with the Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw.

Individuals sheltering outdoors are encouraged to engage with mobile outreach workers from local agencies and the BC Housing Homeless Encampment Action Response Team (HEART), who can assist with supportive housing applications.