What started as a protest against the lack of affordable places to live in Vancouver, has now spread to several city parks where tent cities have sprung up.

Groups of homeless people are taking over parks throughout the city. "They are causing a lot of citizens to really feel like the parks are being taken over. Where will it stop. In many ways it's reflecting negatively on the homeless," said city councillor Jim Green.

At any given time there are at least four tent cities in different parts of downtown Vancouver. Hundreds - some say thousands of people - live in them.

Vancouver park

Attempts to force the people to leave have led to controversy and conflict. The city says it is considering all options.

One of those options is to follow the example of Seattle, just south of Vancouver, where the city has sanctioned permanent tent cities.

"I don't think you can police tent cities out of existence, or legislate tent cities out of existence, because you'd have to legislate and police the problem - which is homelessness - out of existence," said Al Poole, spokesman for the city.

Al Poole

In Seattle, the tents can only stay for 60 days before moving on to the next location. No more than 100 people can live in the same area. And the land must be donated by private owners, or churches.

"We have a lot of anecdotal data that indicates people graduate from tent cities on a regular basis. In some ways it's like transitional housing for some people: work, save money move on. To me, that's the American way," said Poole.

But it is unlikely Vancouver will approve tent cities anytime soon. And social welfare activists say things are about to get worse.

In April stricter rules come into effect on welfare qualifications. Vancouver expects the changes will force 6,000 to 8,000 more people onto the streets.