It all started with the number of homeless encampments popping up all over the Waterloo Region. Like many people, I couldn’t help notice. Urban Sketchers, a global group of plein-air artists were offering grants for sketchers who presented them with reportage of what was happening in your corner of the world. So, in 2023 I sketched the homeless (the living rough) telling the story as I went.
Overall, I sketched ten or more different areas of the Region. Providing new affordable housing units remain key priorities for the Region of Waterloo. A common concern for most communities in Ontario, if not city centres anywhere in North America.
There is just not enough low income housing to accommodate people struggling for work, money and their need for mental health care and addiction counselling.
I invite you to click here to see my interview with local news about my Living Rough project. Thank you CTV Kitchener.
Victoria Street Encampment September 10, 2025
I sat quite comfortably to sketch across the street where chatty workmen were busy paving at 97 Victoria. I also met a supervisor from The Working Centre from 97 Victoria. He told me that there are going to be 44 rooms at this project for homeless people. He also said there is approximately 80 residents at present in this encampment. It is very crowded.
97 Victoria — Making Home — is nearly ready to open its doors
Exciting news! 97 Victoria is almost ready to open! Making Home at 97 Victoria Street helps people transition to stable housing and builds community. Thanks to your support through my art purchases in 2023, we made this possible!
Victoria Street encampment spilling over onto Weber Street
On Wednesday August 20 I sketched the residents living on Weber Street. The Victoria Street encampment is very full during the summer months. I’ve noticed several large garbage bins throughout the camp, which take up a lot of the square footage. These have likely been put there for inhabitants to throw things they no longer need or want, in preparation for the December 1 evacuation of this property. This land is being developed as part of the Kitchener transportation hub, with construction beginning in 2026.
New ruling August 21, 2025
August 25, 2025
I hope that this illustration captures the grungy look of this tired looking encampment. This particular “home” will go down in history as the most innovative structure on site. And now it is adorned with a banner that expresses their opinion on being vacated. Take note of the large green garbage bin. Many of them have been placed throughout the property to encourage the evacuation process. Every time I take pictures here I learn something. The fridge: where harm reduction supplies are stored. And beside it a water tent where cases of water are provided for the residents during hot summer months.
Visit this page often as I follow my reportage of the ongoings at the Victoria Street Encampment
as they prepare to vacate by the planned December 1, 2025 evacuation.