Tent City is taking to Victoria Park for their 19th year of bringing awareness to homelessness in the region.

Organizer Julian Ichim says that they have paired up with National Housing Day and are fighting for political change while actively feeding and housing up to 40 people.

“The most rewarding part, I would say is that were doing something political, that were pushing for political gains while at the same time doing something practical,” says Ichim. “People need safe places to sleep and the reality is that there aren’t many.”

He adds that they have a list of demands for the government this year.

“We ask that the federal government invest $5 billion in housing, that the provincial governments scrap anti-poor people legislation like the Safe Streets Act, and we ask the the municipal government invest in housing instead of gentrification.”

Gentrification is in the process of renewal and rebuilding inner city deteriorating areas which often displaces poor or homeless residents.

The organization is feeding close to 40 people, three meals per day and allowing close to 20 protesters to sleep in their tents overnight.

Ichim says he has been with the event since it began in 1998 along with six or seven other protesters.

The group will be in the park this year from July 11th to July 18th, and will hold community discussion dinners nightly at 7 p.m., talking about anything from beating heroine addictions to how to deal with unfair landlords.