A report heading to Victoria councillors this week shows the cost of homelessness and outdoor shelters, like tent city, are costing taxpayers in the city more than a million dollars.

For the past 12 months the costs add up to $1.6 million - $567,000 of that going to tent city alone.

The report states costs will keep adding up as the city’s resources continue to go towards issues pertaining to the encampment – at a rate of $92,700 a month.

According to the city’s mayor, homelessness is much more expensive than the cost of housing.

“I think we shouldn't be spending $0.01 on homelessness because I think everybody should be out,” Lisa Helps said over the phone. “If you look at Victoria's costs for 12 months - $ 1.6 million - and then let's look at the costs of homelessness in every Canadian city for the last year. Let's add up all that money and then let's look at how many houses we could've built for that much money. That's the issue.”

The staff update heading to council states issues relating to homelessness in the city are of “significant concern.”

“The courthouse encampment itself has been, and continues to be, a substantial draw on the city’s resources,” it said.

The city has increased its support in neighbourhoods impacted by outdoor shelters, in particular the neighbourhood around tent city.

Council recently approved up to $113,000 for additional police resources to monitor areas around the courthouse encampment.

“Six-hundred thousand has been spent on tent city so that’s the single largest chunk, but then there’s park clean-up, there’s bylaw – there’s all of these things that need to be paid for when people are unfortunate enough to live in public space,” Helps said.

The province has filed another application to the courts hoping for an injunction to dismantle the camp.

On Friday, Housing Minister Rich Coleman said the province is purchasing another two buildings in Victoria, providing another 140 housing units.

Coleman added if the injunction goes through, the province will be ready to support those living in the encampment.

“If we get the injunction, anybody that’s there that legitimately in need of housing that’s homeless will have a place to go along with support and meals to help them,” Coleman said.

The injunction application will be heard in court on June 27 and 28.

You can read more of the report here.