Mayor Mike Bradley needs the county to allocate most — if not all, provincial funding geared towards “winding down” homeless encampments to the Metropolis of Sarnia.
The County of Lambton not too long ago acquired $2.91 million as a part of a $75.5 million funding to assist municipalities throughout Ontario add extra shelter areas and inexpensive housing items so susceptible folks have alternate options to encampments.
Bradley has made a number of requests to the county searching for further funding and help to handle the homeless encampment at Rainbow Park.
The county hasn’t introduced how the funding might be disbursed however Bradley mentioned he’ll request a gathering with Warden Kevin Marriott.
“Effectively, I’d see that cash come on to town to compensate us for the price we had over this previous 12 months coping with Rainbow Park. There are ongoing points nonetheless with homeless in the neighborhood, and that is not going to go away right here or wherever else,” Bradley mentioned. “The county does have a workforce on the market in order that they have a few of their very own prices, I respect that, however the reality is we’ve a method which has labored. Rainbow Park, at one level, was over 90 folks [and] now it is down.”
In January, metropolis council voted to clear all homeless encampments throughout daytime hours.
As of December 31, 2024, town confirmed that $701,224 was spent on well being and security measures on the park.
With fewer folks (roughly 10) remaining at Rainbow Park, measures have been scaled again so the price is anticipated to be considerably decreased shifting ahead.
“Those that are left are banned completely from the shelters,” Bradley mentioned. “Those that are left, the county is not going to put them into motels or motels due to their previous behaviour. So then that query is, what do you do with these folks?”
Bradley mentioned this funding and the addition of a Homelessness and Dependancy Restoration Therapy Hub in Sarnia will assist, however extra funding might be wanted.
“We’re going to attempt to transfer on many various fronts to cope with ongoing problems with addictions, homelessness, and psychological well being in the neighborhood,” Bradley mentioned.
As for shelters, Bradley mentioned the hours of operation needs to be reviewed.
“It occurs in all places and I do not totally perceive it. Folks in shelters are pushed out onto the streets of their neighborhood throughout daylight,” he mentioned. “I feel we want to check out that. How can we maintain the shelters working, possibly not 24 hours a day, however greater than they’re at the moment in Sarnia and elsewhere within the province as a result of I feel it creates a whole lot of the problems round in the neighborhood.”
Space municipalities equivalent to Chatham-Kent acquired $282,800, London acquired $75,000, and Windsor acquired $742,000 as a part of the provincial funding.
