City of Prince George to Dismantle Homeless Encampment After Court Ruling
Prince George, BC – August 22, 2025 – The City of Prince George has been granted permission to dismantle the long-standing Moccasin Flats homeless encampment, also known as the Lower Patricia Boulevard Encampment, following a B.C. Supreme Court ruling on August 14, 2025. Justice Bruce Elwood’s decision marks the culmination of a four-year legal battle to close the encampment, which the city argued violated local bylaws. The ruling comes after significant efforts by the city and province to provide alternative housing for unhoused residents, though challenges remain for the estimated 20 individuals still at the site.
A Contentious History
Established in 2021 on city-owned land, the Moccasin Flats encampment peaked that summer with approximately 70 tent structures. Located on an empty lot between an industrial yard and a residential neighborhood, the encampment became a focal point of debate over homelessness in Prince George, a city of about 90,000 that bills itself as British Columbia’s northern capital. The city first sought to dismantle the camp in 2021, citing violations of the Parks and Open Space Bylaw and the Zoning Bylaw, which prohibit camping and sheltering on public lands. However, the B.C. Supreme Court, in decisions in 2021 and 2022, ruled that residents could remain due to insufficient alternative housing and daytime facilities.
In 2022, the city faced criticism after dismantling much of the encampment, mistakenly believing it had been abandoned after relocating some residents to the Knights Inn supportive housing property. The court found that this action breached a prior order and caused “serious harm” to vulnerable individuals, many of whom faced poverty, mental health issues, racism, and addiction. Data from November 2024 indicates over 200 people in Prince George are “absolutely homeless,” underscoring the scale of the crisis.
A Shift in Approach
Following the 2022 setback, the city, in collaboration with the province and the B.C. Housing Management Commission, invested heavily in housing solutions. A key development was the January 2025 opening of the Third Avenue Site, a supportive housing facility built from ATCO trailers adjacent to the encampment. The facility offers 42 private rooms, laundry services, two meals a day, mental health support, and naloxone kits to combat overdoses. Despite initial claims of ample housing, the city later revised its figures, noting that only three units were immediately available on June 25, 2025, with five more potentially available later.
Justice Elwood’s recent ruling acknowledged these efforts, stating that the city and province had “spent significant public resources” to address the 2021 court order’s conditions. He concluded that the continuous occupation of city lands was a “clear breach” of bylaws and granted the city’s injunction to close the encampment. However, Elwood included a provision allowing residents to apply for a constitutional exemption in “exceptional circumstances” if they cannot access the nearby low-barrier housing facility.
A Phased Closure
The city has adopted a “phased approach” to closing Moccasin Flats, with plans to remediate the site once residents are relocated. Prince George city manager Walter Babicz emphasized the complexity of the situation, noting that the court’s decision allows the city to address “significant safety, health, and operational challenges” impacting nearby residents and businesses. The city is working with BC Housing to connect approximately 20 remaining residents with housing, after which they will have seven days to vacate the site.
Mayor Simon Yu, elected in 2022 partly on a promise to address homelessness, reiterated his commitment to long-term solutions. “It has been a long road, and there is much more work to be done to address homelessness in our community,” he said in a statement.
Ongoing Challenges
The ruling highlights the broader issue of homelessness in Prince George, where affordable housing remains scarce, and strict eligibility rules for subsidized housing often leave individuals without viable options. Justice Elwood noted that the city lacks the funds, expertise, or jurisdiction to address the crisis independently, relying heavily on provincial and federal support. The B.C. Assembly of First Nations has also raised concerns, with Chief Terry Teegee noting in 2021 that approximately 80% of the city’s homeless population is Indigenous, and that past city actions appeared to target rather than support them.
The encampment’s closure raises questions about the fate of its residents, particularly those who may not qualify for or comply with housing program rules. The provision for constitutional exemptions offers a potential lifeline, but its application remains untested. As Prince George moves forward, the balance between enforcing bylaws and addressing systemic homelessness will remain a critical challenge.
For more information on housing initiatives in Prince George, visit www.princegeorge.ca or www.bchousing.ca.