Even as a few residents remained packing up their belongings, fences were being raised around an encampment site along Ellis Creek next to Fairview Road in Penticton.
The residents and the camp had been served an eviction notice from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit that stated effective June 25 clean-up of the site would begin and no unhoused individuals were to be present.
The encampment is located on land that was historically seized from the Penticton Indian Band by the Crown for the construction of Highway 97, putting the area outside the jurisdiction of the City of Penticton's bylaws and the Penticton Indian Band's own enforcement.
As of the morning on June 26, even as AIM Roads crews working for MOTT began to set up the fencing, around a dozen residents of the encampment remained.
Outreach workers were also on site, helping a few residents move some of their belongings, while others provided water and coffee to them.
A second industrial-sized garbage bin was also dropped off in advance of clean-up efforts.
The site has been a large concern among residents due to concerns of watershed pollution, impacts on tourism, the potential for fire and concerns of violence.
around Penticton was attacked while removing garbage from the encampment. Months earlier, when a fire that started in a camp spread.
"We know this is a challenging situation, but the reality is the current encampment isn鈥檛 a safe place for people, and it鈥檚 not safe for the community," the Ministry of Housing spokesperson said in email to the Western on June 20, echoing the words used by Minister Ravi Kahlon during his visit to the community on June 9.
While visiting Penticton for an unrelated announcement, Minister Kahlon spoke on the issue of the encampment and committed to directing additional resources to addressing the situation.
The Ministry said on June 20 that outreach workers have been working to support those who shelter at the encampment, and reiterated its commitment to working with local partners and other provincial agencies to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness.
"Provincial outreach workers from BC Housing and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction have been in regular contact with people sheltering at the encampment and have offered person-specific supports. This includes helping people apply for supportive housing, referrals to health services and community resources for food and water, clothing, and crisis support."
The Penticton Indian Band, ASK Wellness, South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society, Penticton Overdose Prevention Society, Interior Health and members of 100 More Homes have also been working in getting people living in the encampment support since the eviction notice was issued, according to a joint press release from the City of Penticton with BC Housing on June 20.
