One of the city’s well-known homeless shelter communities is preparing for some substantial changes, with A Better Tent City (ABTC) announcing it will be undergoing a major organizational shift.
The organization, which kicked off the cabin-style community for those experiencing homelessness in Kitchener, has said it will no longer be able to continue as it had previously been run.
“We can no longer continue as a volunteer-led organization,” said Chair of the ABTC board, Jeff Willmer.
“A Better Tent City has faced increasing challenges operating the site, making it unsustainable in its present form.”
Previously, ABTC had been operating through four full-time staff members, alongside 15 part-time workers, with a total budget of $1.1 million, mainly consisting of donations as well as grants through the Region of Waterloo.
“Over the last year, we lost several key volunteers who provided operational leadership,” Willmer stated.
“In addition, significant health and safety challenges have been identified that have grown beyond our ability to manage.”
Willmer said that those increasing challenges and pitfalls have led them to “dissolve the corporation over the next few months.”
While the organization which had been running ABTC will be shutting down, it doesn’t mean the cabin-style community will be closing.
The Working Centre (TWC) is expected to take over the operational support for ABTC, with Willmer saying that the change is expected to occur as of Monday, July 20.
The shift comes as the Region of Waterloo continues to push through its ongoing housing and homelessness crisis, with the region spending tens of millions every year in hopes of tackling the problem.
As of now, approximately 800 people are living without a home in the region, with ABTC currently housing around 50 residents in its wooden cabin structures.
While this has led to other key issues, particularly around security options, occupancy limits, overcrowding, and more, Willmer has said those impacted individuals remain a key focus.
He said, “Every little bit counts, and these are 50 people that matter.”
A full report detailing the ongoing operational needs, conditions, and current assessment of ABTC is set to be brought forward to regional councillors at a future meeting, expected to take place before the end of June.
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