What appears to be a homeless camp in the woods off Hamlyn Road and Captain Whelan Drive in St. John’s has resulted in a trail of noxious garbage.
The woods, just off a busy intersection and across from a housing development, is strewn with bags of garbage, including white kitchen catchers full of human waste.
The path of litter is extensive and leads to a tent covered by a tarp in a small clearing surrounded by more garbage piles. It appears, from the scene, a person has been living there for several months.
According to a City of St. John’s spokeswoman, affordable housing staff were made aware of the situation recently and have contacted community organizations to try to find support for the person thought to be living in the tent.
The spokeswoman said the situation is unresolved, and that it’s complex and requires patience and compassion.
The city’s inspection services team were told of the situation Friday and were to follow up with Nalcor, the property owners.
Nalcor said it was notified by the city a couple of weeks ago that an individual appeared to be living in a wooded area behind its property, spokeswoman Cara Pike said.
For the safety and well-being of the individual, Nalcor said it referred the situation to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing requesting their assistance to provide supports to the person.
A cleanup for the area is scheduled for the next couple of days, Nalcor said.
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, due to the lateness of The Telegram’s request Friday, was unable to respond as to whether the person has been approached and helped to get proper housing.
In a statement late Friday evening, St. John's West Liberal MHA and Natural Resources Minister Siobhan Coady said she is concerned for the well-being of the individual living in a tent in her district, and on Nalcor property.
"I have been in touch with Nalcor and requested they look further into this situation. My officials have also been in touch with the appropriate provincial government departments to seek the assistance that this individual may need," Coady said.
No one was at the tent when The Telegram visited the site Friday.
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