Campers at Maple Ridge tent city expected to return after eviction notice expires
Posted March 2, 2019 9:29 pm.
Last Updated March 2, 2019 9:30 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MAPLE RIDGE (NEWS 1130) — A homeless camp in Maple Ridge has been evacuated and cleared out after three fires this week, but not for long.
People living at Anita Place tent city will be allowed to move back in after the area is cleaned up, according to Pivot Legal Society. The City of Maple Ridge was previously granted a court injunction to allow them to remove accelerants and address fire safety risks.
WATCH: Maple Ridge homeless camp evacuated
Camp supporter Chris Bossley says the shelter being offered to camp residents is temporary, and moving back into a shelter would be seen as a step back for many people who have made the camp their home.
“This is temporary. Their homes are at Anita Place Tent City,” she says. “Whether it’s a tent, whether its a structure they’ve built: that is their home, that is where all their belongings are, that is where they live, and that is where they will be returning.”
RELATED: Three fires in three days at Maple Ridge homeless camp
She says most, if not all of their belongings are still there.
It’s not clear when they will be allowed to return.
Fifteen people visited an emergency reception centre set up for evacuees on Saturday. That reception centre will be open until Monday when the Salvation Army is expected to take over with social support services.
