Claudemier Bighetty lived in homeless encampments on and off for more than 10 years.

“During that time, I was gang-involved, sold (and) used drugs. I did what I thought I had to do to survive. I know how vulnerable people are forced to make choices to stay alive on the streets,” Bighetty told members of city council’s community services committee on Tuesday.

After getting sober, finding a home, securing a job and getting married within the past two years, he came to city hall to share his thoughts on how the city can best help people in encampments.

Bighetty supports the city’s new policy to ban encampments in many public spaces, including around schools and daycares. However, he said his support hinges on the addition of a “managed encampment to housing” site.

“I have seen how the lac

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