It doesn't cost St. John's Anglican Church a nickel for homeless folks to set up a tent on the property, yet the payoff for those in need is priceless.

"It's a small thing that we can do to try to work toward a solution and we don't think that the cost is too high to do it," said Rev. Brad Smith.

It actually doesn't cost the church anything to house tents on the front lawn, he added.

Tents started popping up on the downtown church property in April. A homeless couple were the first to pitch a shelter, and not long after, others followed suit.

The highest count of tents Smith has seen is eight, but they're not always in use.

"There are more tents than there are people at present," Smith said Thursday.

The city's homeless often pitch tents in Victoria Park, across the street from the church, but once they get an eviction notice, they have 10 days to leave. If they don't, city workers remove their belongings, which they can retrieve later. That hasn't happened yet this year.

The county owns Victoria Park but has an arrangement with the city to provide social and homelessness services.

When a camper is approached and asked to leave, they're also offered help to find housing, said Dorothy Olver, social services manager for the city.

Some campers at the church already have a support worker trying to find accommodations, Smith said.

In the meantime, they'd rather camp out than be in a shelter, he added.

When the church is open, campers are welcome to use the bathroom or grab a coffee, Smith said.

And thanks to an anonymous business owner, they can use a porta potty outside the church when it's closed.

St. John's congregation has been accepting of the campers, Smith said.

"I think most of the congregation understand that we have a front lawn and there are people who need a place to stay."

Residents in neighbouring buildings have issued complaints though. They say it gets loud and rowdy at night, Smith said.

But that's not necessarily the campers. The church has always been a bit of a hangout at night because of its location, he added.

Smith has offered to meet with tenants to hear their concerns, but no one has taken him up on that.

He said he realizes it isn't an ideal situation for anyone, but it's a short-term solution until a permanent one comes along.

"This is a very, very small Band-Aid on a much, much larger problem."

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jessica.nyznik

@peterboroughdaily.com