An often-overlooked consideration by health decision makers is the negative impacts that disrupting the autonomy and community spirit of homeless persons can cause. Paternalistic decision-making can drown out the voices of those who are most affected. To be clear, public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as stay-at-home-orders, are necessary for the well-being of the greater populace. But what constitutes “home” for Kingston’s homeless individuals?
Since the onset of the pandemic, many persons experiencing homelessness have erected makeshift shelters and formed a community at Belle Park, successfully building their own version of home. One resident considers the Belle Park community to be “like a family,” where everyone comes together out of common need. To this resident, the Belle Park encampment is important because it provides a place to go to for those who do not feel comfortable at shelters or supportive housing for a variety of harrowing reasons. To them, moving from Belle Park would exacerbate their struggle with homelessness, as it tears them away from group support, leaving them feeling rootless. Moreover, they are reluctant to move, as they have just become familiar with the area’s transportation routes that allow them to visit the hospital, their healthcare providers, and other appointments without stress.
The City of Kingston recently extended the forced move-out date of Belle Park campers to July 7. The conditions at Belle Park are far from perfect. Campers have troubles with accessibility, have limited access to warm water, and only recently gained access to unrestricted showers at Home Based Housing. As the Global Health team, we recognize the enormous challenge faced by decision-makers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We implore decision-makers to consider the autonomy of people experiencing homelessness seeking respite at Belle Park and the impact of relocation on established communities moving forward. Without doing so, we risk imposing paternalistic measures that do more harm than good.
*Author’s Note: Jeremy is a third-year history student interning with the Office of Professional Development and Educational Scholarship. He is interested in the intricate relationship between the welfare state, poverty, and social determinants of health in Canada. This story comes from video interviews with several Belle Park residents. Special thanks to Chrystal Wilson for interviewing and for providing background information.