Encampment at Regina city hall grows to more than 60 tents

The encampment at Regina city hall that began with a gazebo and one tent has now become home to more than 60 tents in less than a month. 

One volunteer said the rapid increase in tents is a signal of just how bad homelessness has gotten in Regina. 

Mandla Mthembu said encampments already existed throughout the city before this one was formed, but this location is bringing people together. 

"The words gone out that there's a place in downtown Regina, there's people kind of congregating, there's food, supplies and some other things," Mandla Mthembu said. 

It's also bringing a hidden crisis out into the open. 

Mthembu is just one of many volunteers working to help people who live on the streets and have gathered outside city hall. 

He said he's had a privileged life and has not had to experience homelessness personally, but felt motivated to help by compassion and empathy.

"The condition I've been able to see throughout the last couple years, it's gotten worse for a lot of people," he said. 

On Thursday and Friday, CBC News spoke with some residents of the encampment. They ranged in age and they came from a variety of different backgrounds. Some of the men and women told CBC they had full time jobs. Others did not. 

They all declined to provide their full names or participate in an interview on-camera, citing the stigma homeless people face. 

The residents told CBC that the encampment at city hall provided them with a central location where they can easily access basic necessities — things like food and water. 

The people who call the encampment home also said city hall is generally safer than if they had set up somewhere isolated and alone.

By surrounding themselves with other homeless people, they have a sense of security and the location means there is nearby foot traffic throughout the day and night. 

Regina Fire and Protective Services complete a wellness check every morning and police on patrol stop by throughout the day, said residents.