Cathy Dobson/The Independent

Lambton’s homelessness outreach team recently cleared an encampment in St. Clair Township.

Two weeks ago, an industry in St. Clair Township contacted the municipal office and reported someone living on their property along the St. Clair River.

It turned out multiple people were located there on land that straddled a public park.

“We called Ian (Hanney’s) team and the people in the tents were successfully relocated,” said St. Clair Clerk Jeff Baranek. 

A year ago, the provincial government provided Lambton County $2.5 million to create a mobile crisis response team with paramedics and health care professionals. 

Pairs of paramedics went to the encampments, mostly located in Sarnia, providing help. 

County employees also visited regularly, offering help to find both temporary and permanent shelter.

It was one of those teams which helped St. Clair clear its most recent encampment along the river.

Last year, the township reported five or six small encampments that were swiftly dismantled by Hanney’s team, he said.  “They have been successful every time we’ve asked for assistance. It’s been fabulous.”

Baranek didn’t know where the people in the encampments went. And, without any new affordable housing, Sarnia City/County Councillor Chrissy McRoberts said options for the people moved from the camps are very limited.