Peel Region Council approves Coordinated Homeless Encampment Response

BRAMPTON, Ont. - June 30, 2025. Peel Region Council has approved a Coordinated Homeless Encampment Response for Peel Region, the City of Brampton, the City of Mississauga and the Town of Caledon. The encampment response is a human rights-based, coordinated and balanced approach to responding to encampments in Peel.

The coordinated homeless encampment response includes the Homeless Encampment Policy and Joint Protocols. The policy and joint protocols between Peel, Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga provide operational guidance to ensure a consistent, coordinated approach between all parties. The protocols are currently being used as a pilot and will be regularly improved as implementation planning and actions continue.

The policy and joint protocols will not eliminate encampments in Peel. The policy and protocols support Peel’s joint encampment response, a balanced and coordinated approach that respects the needs of people living in encampments, as well as community members living and sharing the same community spaces, while aligning with all applicable legal requirements. A balanced approach means a coordinated, consistent and accountable process for assessing, mitigating and responding to documented risk in encampments.

Key functions include:

• completing needs assessments for residents living in encampments to document daily living needs, safety needs and willingness to accept housing and other supports or referrals
• committing to Peel’s “do not turn away” policy in the emergency shelter system to encourage residents living in encampments in Peel to accept appropriate shelter and supports
• establishing “no encampment zones” in areas owned by Peel, City of Brampton, City of Mississauga or Town of Caledon where removal and enforcement can be expedited because of significant health and safety concerns that cannot be mitigated. The preferred approach is for residents living in encampments to leave or relocate voluntarily, with enforcement being a last resort.

Residents are asked to report encampments to 311. Peel Region continues to work with the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga, Town of Caledon, Peel Outreach and Peel Regional Police every time an encampment is reported.

Next steps include securing municipal council approvals, updating regional and local by-laws and internal procedures, and seeking Peel Region Council approval in the 2026 budget to provide funding for Peel and local municipalities to implement this service. Peel will continue to work closely with its partners in anticipation of full implementation in 2026.

Access the Council report and visit our website to learn more about Peel’s encampment response.