Harassed for Being Homeless: The Cruel Reality on Our Streets

Homeless individuals in Ontario face frequent harassment, not only from the public but also through increasing enforcement measures. In 2022, reports from the Canadian Human Rights Commission show that with the significant increase of homeless encampments, there has been a rise in harassment of homeless individuals.

An article titled “Homeless Encampments in Canada a Human Rights Crisis” states that “many people living in encampments face harassment and violence from police, by-law officers, and members of the public. They do not have access to basic services like clean water or heat. Some have suffered or have died as a result of exposure, fire, overdose, and other threats to life and safety. These conditions amount to violations of fundamental human rights, including the human right to housing” (1). Doug Ford’s new policy only escalates this situation as the province’s recent crackdown on encampments has led to police forcibly removing individuals, sometimes destroying personal belongings in the process. Many of these individuals have no viable housing alternatives, making displacement a recurring cycle rather than a solution.

Conditions in shelters are no better with an environment that is meant to create a safe space for individuals but does the complete opposite. Mary, a resident at A Better Tent City (ABTC) has discussed this in an interview, saying that there is always a need to watch over your belongings out of fear of theft while also being constantly uncomfortable around their roommates (2).

The increasing harassment faced by homeless individuals in Ontario, combined with the province’s approach to dismantling encampments, is exacerbating an already dire situation. The lack of viable housing alternatives, coupled with the violence and displacement many face, underscores the failure of current policies to address the root causes of homelessness. Rather than providing effective solutions or support systems, such as accessible housing and mental health resources, Ontario’s crackdown on encampments only serves to push vulnerable people further into hardship. Until these issues are addressed with more thoughtful, compassionate policies, the cycle of homelessness, harassment, and displacement will persist.