Encampments in Peel
Responding to encampments
Peel Region uses a human rights-based approach in its response to encampments. This approach is based on balance to ensure the needs of residents in encampments are being met with homeless supports and services, while mitigating health and safety concerns and protecting public spaces for the greater community.
The Peel Encampments Working Group includes representatives from the City of Brampton, Town of Caledon, and City of Mississauga, along with service providers, community partners, Peel Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police, and other stakeholders.
The working group has created a coordinated homeless encampment response, including a policy and joint protocols, approved by Peel Region Council.
Email us if you have any questions about the coordinated encampment response for Peel Region, City of Brampton, Town of Caledon, and City of Mississauga.
Reporting concerns
Call 311 if you:
- Have concerns about an encampment in Peel.
- See excessive litter in a park or encampment.
Call 911 if you witness:
- Any illegal activity.
- A health emergency.
Do not attempt to handle the situation yourself.
Call the Street Helpline at 1-877-848-8481 if you’re worried about someone living on the street.
Peel Region works closely with the City of Brampton, Town of Caledon, City of Mississauga, Peel Outreach, and Peel Regional Police every time an encampment is reported to ensure we follow a streamlined process and can provide a consistent level of service. Further collaboration and consultation with the Ontario Provincial Police, who are responsible for policing the Town of Caledon, is required.
Once you report an encampment, the Encampment Response Team is activated, and no further action is needed from you.
What happens when an encampment is reported
Every time someone calls 311 to report a complaint or concern about an encampment in Peel, a process is followed. Our overall goal is to enable encampment residents to be successfully housed and restore public space to its intended use.
Learn how we respond to reports
Monthly encampment data
Includes active encampments, inspections and assessments completed, outreach interactions, and shelter occupancy.
Data reported between May 1 and May 31, 2025
| Category | Measure | Data |
|---|---|---|
Encampment data | Encampment inquiries | 47 |
| Active encampments | 14 | |
| Small active encampments (1 to 2 structures) | 12 | |
| Medium active encampments (3 to 4 structures) | 1 | |
| Large active encampments (5 or more structures) | 1 | |
| Inactive encampments | 13 | |
Hazards, risks and inspections | Total number of risks or hazards mitigated at encampments | 20 |
| Encampments with risk level reduced through mitigation actions | 3 | |
| Low-risk encampments assessed | 2 | |
| Medium-risk encampments assessed | 9 | |
| High-risk encampments assessed | 0 | |
| Encampments pending inspection | 3 | |
| Total number of encampment assessments completed (Fire, Police, City) | 29 | |
| Assessments | Peel Outreach needs assessments | 75 |
| Enforcement | Encampments removed through enforcement actions | 0 |
We are working closely with the Town of Caledon to monitor encampments.
Data reported between May 1 and May 31, 2025
| Category | Measure | Data |
|---|---|---|
Encampment data | Encampment inquiries | 15 |
| Active encampments | 10 | |
| Small active encampments (1 to 2 structures) | 9 | |
| Medium active encampments (3 to 4 structures) | 0 | |
| Large active encampments (5 or more structures) | 1 | |
| Inactive encampments | 8 | |
Hazards, risks and inspections | Total number of risks or hazards mitigated at encampments | 15 |
| Encampments with risk level reduced through mitigation actions | 2 | |
| Low-risk encampments assessed | 4 | |
| Medium-risk encampments assessed | 0 | |
| High-risk encampments assessed | 1 | |
| Encampments pending inspection | 5 | |
| Total number of encampment assessments completed (Fire, Police, City) | 18 | |
| Assessments | Peel Outreach needs assessments | 66 |
| Enforcement | Encampments removed through enforcement actions | 0 |
Data reported between May 1 and May 31, 2025
| Measure | Data |
|---|---|
| Total encampment inquiries to outreach | 63 |
| Unique individuals served in encampments | 182 |
| Encampment residents receiving supports | 161 |
| Refusals to referrals and supports | 21 |
| Encampment residents moved to emergency shelter or overflow | 11 |
| Encampment residents moved to permanent housing | 2 |
Data reported between May 1 and May 31, 2025
| Measure | Data |
|---|---|
| Shelter occupancy rate | 129.69% |
| Total homeless individuals in emergency shelters | 1,352 |
| Total homeless in encampments | 182 |
| Total homeless population | 1,534 |
The shelter system in Peel is in demand, with our shelters being used by thousands of residents each year. Although Peel shelters are operating above capacity, we’re proud of our ‘do not turn away’ policy for Peel residents in our emergency shelter system. An individual residing in an encampment will be found shelter should they be willing to accept help. Some individuals experiencing homelessness will decide to decline shelter, leading to the presence of unsheltered homeless and encampments.
Encampment
A temporary outdoor accommodation for people and groups who are unhoused and unsheltered. The encampment has been established often without permission on public or privately owned land.
Encampment inquiry
A service request, question, complaint, or concern about encampments in the municipality (city or town).
Active encampment
A location captured by the site address and park location on public property. Active sites have people living and sleeping there. The site can contain a single structure or tent, or multiple structures or tents clustered together.
Inactive encampment
A location is an encampment site that is confirmed to no longer have people residing there and the site has been removed. The location is captured by the site address and park location on public property. An encampment location may be deemed inactive for several reasons:
- Occupants may have moved to emergency shelter or housing.
- The site has been abandoned for unknown reasons.
- Other unknown causes.
Total number of risks or hazards mitigated at encampments
Encampment sites may pose health and safety risks to occupants and the surrounding community. This data measure captures the total number or risks or hazards mitigated by Peel Outreach, Peel Regional Police, local fire and emergency services, or other municipal staff monthly.
Risk or hazard mitigation may include:
- Removal of fire hazards (propane tanks, generators, e-bikes).
- Encampment site relocation to reduce risks.
- Providing sharps containers.
- Litter maintenance, clean-up.
- And more.
Total number of encampment inspections or assessments completed
Includes the total number of encampment inspections and the number of site and resident needs assessments completed throughout the month.
An encampment inspection is a visit to an encampment site and may be conducted by member of Peel Regional Police, local fire and emergency services, or other municipal staff.
Site assessments document risks and hazards of the physical encampment site and evaluate the probability and impact of the risks and hazards, creating an overall risk score. They are completed by Peel Regional Police and local fire and emergency services.
Resident needs assessments document daily and health needs, safety of people and pets living in an encampment, and their willingness to accept housing and social support. They are completed by Peel Outreach each time they visit an encampment site, even if they do not interact with encampment residents.
Encampment risk level reduced through mitigation actions
The number of encampments where an overall risk score was reduced through mitigation actions. Risk mitigation actions include:
- Fire risks
- Unsafe practices or behaviours
- Broken glass or sharps
- Extreme heat or cold
- Flood risks
- Animals
- Health risks
- Biohazard risks
- Others
Peel Outreach interactions with encampment residents
The number of people Peel Outreach workers interact or connect with at an encampment site. This number is not a unique representation of the number of residents at an encampment.