The City of Stratford is pushing back on an online rumour that it is clearing out the homeless encampment near the transit terminal.
The City said staff brought in a loader on Thursday to help clean up some items at the encampment that were damaged by recent rainstorms, and nobody was being evicted.
"This was done with the co-operation, support, and the consent of individuals at the encampment," read the City statement. "We do understand and appreciate everyone’s concern for those experiencing homelessness in our community."
Tanner Bergsma, a mental health advocate, posted on Facebook that the City response was to a statement he posted Friday. He apologized for the confusion, but noted that in the original post, that has since been taken down, he said it was pending validation from the City.
"Merely I was expressing what I did know when I stated and I quote 'It is my understanding, based on information received from encampment residents, that they have been told they must vacate the site by August 31,'" Bergsma wrote.
The City's statement reiterated that it is not clearing out the encampment, or evicting people who are staying there, instead saying staff are working to ensure individuals are safe, exploring alternative housing and support options.
