For eight years, Crystal Monahan discovered what she known as her sense of security in a tent encampment. Whereas fighting homelessness and habit, she mentioned she typically fell by the cracks of the shelter system.
“The shelters are full so you know, you can sit and wait and hope that a bed becomes available but it’s now 10 at night, where do you go?” she questioned.
Monahan’s tent grew to become her refuge, so when she discovered that Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, together with different mayors, had written to the premier asking to invoke the however clause, which, if authorised, might give municipalities the flexibility to ban encampments, she was shocked.
“Where does he expect us to go if we cannot put a tent up somewhere, safe to stay out of the rain or the snow then what? Where? What do they expect?” requested Monahan.
These sentiments are shared by advocates on the frontlines who welcome increasing psychological well being care help, however say extra funding is required to make room for folks.
At The Lighthouse, a shelter in Orillia, workers mentioned they count on an inflow of arrivals if tents are dismantled.
“Shelters are full and so, what next? So, then a lot of that pressure comes down on to the social services where we’re actually underfunded and understaffed. So how do we continue to keep up?” mentioned Linda Goodall, government director of The Lighthouse.
In a press release to Ontario Chronicle, the County of Simcoe addressed the mayor’s calls.
“In session with the Metropolis of Barrie, we proceed to open further areas, together with motel areas, for folks to return indoors and to get assist with discovering housing. The County has additionally expanded entry to indoor areas by the activation of our Alternate Areas Technique, which permits for elevated capability within the shelter system.”
The County added that it is working to increase its speedy rehousing packages; nevertheless, questions stay on what it’ll imply for essentially the most susceptible nonetheless ready outdoor.
“We definitely know that there’s not going to be housing tomorrow. And there are people who are struggling in encampments across the city today, and not just our city, but cities across our nation. So, you know, this isn’t just a Barrie-centric thing,” mentioned Sarah Peddle, government director of the Busby Centre.
This week metropolis councillors discovered how $10 million {dollars} in funding for reasonably priced housing can be divided up, with the cash going to 6 totally different reasonably priced housing initiatives.
In accordance with the workers memo, curiosity in this system was excessive.
Workers chosen a complete of six functions to separate the $10 million {dollars} between:
Proposed growth by SkyDev co. Inc. on Grove Road West
Proposed growth by JD Improvement Group on Lakeside Terrace
Proposed growth by the County of Simcoe on Rose Road
Proposed growth by Camphill Basis on Park Road
Proposed growth by YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka on Bayview Drive
It’s a optimistic step for housing, however the initiatives will take time to return to fruition, leaving these on the streets searching for someplace secure and heat to remain within the meantime.
