End Homelessness St. John’s had been anticipating the encampment in the capital city’s downtown for some time.

Tents were initially set up on a grassy, exposed area across from Confederation Building in an attempt to get government attention.

It later moved to a more sheltered area near Colonial Building.

Executive Director Doug Pawson says encampments have been an issue in major cities across the country for some time, and it was only a matter of time before a similar situation would develop here.

“We’ve been fairly lucky here…in that it hasn’t been as widespread of an issue (as we’ve) seen in other communities.” He says they’ve known this type of response was coming for some time in light of the growing housing issue.

As a result, they’ve been having conversations with municipalities, the provincial government and community organizations to ensure that public safety issues are properly addressed.

He says it’s about finding ways to support people in the encampments and making sure people are connected to supports and ensuring a coordinated approach to get people housed when appropriate housing options are found.