2 episodes

In the midst of an overdose crisis and a housing emergency, a pandemic happened. As overcrowded shelters became incubators for the virus, people started pitching tents instead. Spend some time inside the encampments that sprung up because of the City of Toronto’s inaction. Each episode draws on one of the four elements—earth, water, wind and fire—to talk about encampment life, local histories and the creative ways residents are making a home in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

We Are Not the Virus Encampment Support Network

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 179 Ratings

In the midst of an overdose crisis and a housing emergency, a pandemic happened. As overcrowded shelters became incubators for the virus, people started pitching tents instead. Spend some time inside the encampments that sprung up because of the City of Toronto’s inaction. Each episode draws on one of the four elements—earth, water, wind and fire—to talk about encampment life, local histories and the creative ways residents are making a home in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

    Water.

    Water.

    On two days of a July heatwave, residents walk us through life in the park and share strategies for living in a pandemic without access to life’s most vital resource.

    • 40 min
    Wind.

    Wind.

    How do you start over, again and again, when you’re constantly being told to disappear? Meet the people making their homes in a place where everything moves fast, just not for them.

    • 55 min
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Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
179 Ratings

179 Ratings

EW26278 ,

Wicked cool podcast

Sooooo good!! Highly recommend

erinoutrider ,

Episode 2

👍👍👍👍 the production is amazing, fantastic music and the story is told with respect and insight. Keep up the good work!

tessaaaaas ,

One sided

I am left-wing, and am an ardent supporter of affordable housing initiatives and increased mental health services under OHIP. That said, ESN act as enablers of the homeless— they advocate for their rights to occupy and trash public parks. The increase in litter and fires are the city’s failing, and anyone who doesn’t like seeing their public parks in this state is viewed as heartless. In their eyes, poverty and homelessness absolve people of any wrongdoing. It’s frustrating because the city really did a lot this past year to help the homeless, but you’ll never hear a compliment or any shred of appreciation from these people.