Waterloo region says there are high safety risks at the Kitchener camp and they are working with residents to prepare them to move from there.

The camp is located at the corner of Victoria Street and Weber in downtown Kitchener. According to regional counselor "Elizabeth Clark," the plan has always been to clear the camp before fall to make way for a project programmed by the local authority.

But this changed due to recent incidents, and Clark said: "Things involve very high risks." "They are accelerating in terms of their number and intensity, we were attacked with a weapon last week by a person who needs medical care."

"Also, a tent fire broke out, incidents of physical threats, and many other problems."

Clark said, "Outreach teams have visited the site several times to assess the level of risk and work with residents to find new housing.

At least they should be given a chance to obtain other shelter means before we take action." "We really don't want to be in a position where we push people out with no options at all."

"I just don't want citizens to think that if we take action, it will be because there are people there. If we take action, it will be because of the danger to the people present there only."

According to Clark, there are 24 camps throughout the region, counselors are looking for options to create more official and permanent areas for residents, but this process needs to be approved by all residents of the area.

Clark said, "We have already changed our views on camps over the past years."

CTV News spoke to many people living in the camp who acknowledged physical fights, but said they are often small issues on site and they do not want to cause problems for the people around them.

Clark said there is no specific time for when people will be asked to leave, but the region is working daily with its partners to prepare for this possibility.