As living expenses rise and incomes fluctuate, more people in our community are facing insecure housing and homelessness situations.
Housing insecurity can affect anyone – but by working together we can ensure that every person has a safe and stable place to call home.
On Monday, June 27, 2016 Chatham-Kent Municipal Council will receive the 2015 Annual Housing and Homelessness Report.
The report defines the programs and services that have been strategized and implemented for Chatham-Kent citizens as a result of Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) funding. With a proactive approach, these programs create a substantial support system for people who are experiencing shelter insecurity or homelessness situations and helps them to become self-sufficient more quickly.
“Every day people are living in poor conditions or have an uncertain housing situation as they struggle month-to-month to afford their housing, often having to make hard daily decisions between eating and paying shelter costs,” stated Chantal Perry, Program Manager, Employment and Social Services, Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
“To be a healthy and functional community, we need to ensure people do more than just survive – we need to come together as a community to wrap services and supports around them and help them have a sense of security and autonomy – you’ll see in the report we’re doing just that,” .
The 2015 Annual Housing & Homelessness Report includes information on;
– Housing First – a more cost effective and stable housing option
– Factors that impact Housing and Homelessness
– Overview of completed work-plan strategies, objectives and activities
– Housing Services program success
– Chatham- Kent Shelter Solutions program success
– Real life stories of those affected with housing challenges
– Community partnerships that prevent homelessness and increase housing security
“With a vision – every person has an affordable, suitable, and adequate home to provide the foundation to secure employment; raise a family and build strong communities, the Chatham-Kent Housing and Homelessness Committee is building stability for those in need, and the entire community,” stated Shelley Wilkins, Director of Housing Services.
“The Committee’s goal is to collectively create a more seamless system of housing and homelessness supports that are customized to the local needs of our community.”
As the designated Service Manager, the Municipality for Chatham-Kent is responsible for developing and implementing a 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy.
The Strategy was approved by Chatham-Kent Council in 2014.
Members from 24 community agencies make up the Chatham-Kent Housing & Homelessness Steering Committee.
