Encampments
With increased homelessness in Waterloo region and across Canada, more encampments are appearing in public places.
Learn how to report an encampment and understand the roles of the City, Region and community partners.
On this page:
Report an encampment
If the situation is an emergency or crisis, call 911.
To report an encampment, use the online form or call 519-886-2310. These requests are not monitored 24/7.
When you report:
- include the location and a description
- staff may contact you if more information is needed
- it may take time to respond
Avoid reporting the same issue more than once. Duplicate reports can delay response times.
Report other concerns
- call 519-886-2310 or email sharpscleanup@waterloo.ca to request needle pick-up
- call the police at 519-570-9777 for non-emergency criminal activity
- call 911 for emergencies or crimes in progress
Understanding homelessness in Waterloo
The number of local people experiencing homelessness has grown significantly in recent years.
The Region of Waterloo estimates about 2371 people are currently experiencing any type of homelessness across the region, including 78% experiencing chronic homelessness. Review the Region of Waterloo report (PDF).
This is a complex issue affected by many factors, including:
- a lack of affordable housing
- mental health and trauma
- job loss and poverty
- the opioid crisis and other drug use
How support is provided
The Region of Waterloo leads local housing and homelessness services.
This brings together community partners, local municipalities, and the provincial and federal governments to work on this complex issue.
Their work includes:
- running housing and shelter programs
- expanding emergency shelters and transitional housing
- outreach support through the Food and Housing Help guide (PDF)
The City of Waterloo supports this work by:
- increasing the number of affordable housing units across the city
- responding to encampment reports