Kitchener's Better Tent City to move following Lot 42 property sale

Residents of Kitchener's Better Tent City, a community of indoor tents and tiny houses for people facing homelessness, will have to move out of Lot 42 in about two months' time.

The Ardelt Place property has been sold, Nadine Doyle confirmed to CBC News. Nadine Doyle is the daughter of the late Ron Doyle, who was the "willing landlord" behind the Better Tent City project.

Doyle said she couldn't confirm whether a new location has been found but said she a committee is working "around the clock" to find a new location.

The Better Tent City project began last spring when Ron Doyle allowed the first few residents to move in at Lot 42. In July, Kitchener council passed a temporary zoning exemption allowing the community to stay for up to a year.    

There are currently about 50 people living at the Better Tent City, said site co-ordinator Nadine Green. She said residents were told about the sale about a week ago.

Green said she is confident they will find a new property.

"We're not going to abandon anyone," she said.    

A spokesperson for the City of Kitchener said the city is working with the Region of Waterloo, the property owner and local non-profits to develop a transition plan. 

The Region of Waterloo did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.