Municipality of Chatham-Kent Council took steps on Monday, January 15, 2024 to address the growing housing and homelessness crisis in the community.
Council voted in favour of the following recommendations:
– Housing Services be directed to complete a Request for Proposal (RFP) to secure 50 transitional cabins to replace Victoria Park Place. The final capital costs, along with recommended locations, will be returned to Council for final authorization.
– Housing Services complete a RFP for 24/7 security services at the future cabin location to ensure that occupants are provided a safe and secure location. The approved cost would be included in the final operational budget for Council approval.
– Housing Services be authorized to operate this site providing 24/7 case management staffing that focuses on securing community housing, life skills training, and community referrals. Updated operational costs would return to Council for approval.
Josh Myers, director of housing services, provided a presentation to Council on Monday night.
“Administration has provided numerous reports on the growing housing and homelessness crisis facing communities across North America,” Myers said in his accompanying staff report.
“There are many unique and individual circumstances why someone might lose their housing and until these systems (Social Assistance/Income supports, Mental Health and Addiction Supports, Criminal Justice, Child Welfare, Cognitive and Developmental Supports, etc.) change, municipalities across Ontario will continue to be called on to provide emergency responses.”
Myers added: “Municipalities do not have the tools, mandate or authority to deliver health, mental health, and/or addiction programing. Instead, municipalities rely on community partners and the provincial government to respond to these needs. These programs are challenged by funding shortfalls and growing waitlists. Much of what the community is witnessing in Chatham-Kent are the results of people not receiving the care and support they need.”
Myers said the estimated capital cost for the project is $1,935,000, which includes 50 cabins, one electrical cabin, one security cabin, one supply cabin, and the main building, plus $650,000 for delivery and installation.
“Chatham-Kent currently receives funding from the provincial government through the Homeless Prevention Program however this funding does not come close to meeting the need in the community,” Myers said.
“Chatham-Kent does not receive federal funding (Reaching Home) for homeless prevention like some Canadian communities. Administration will continue to advocate for changes but feel it is prudent to report that the federal government has notified Reaching Home communities that their funding will be decreasing to 2019 levels in 2026, despite record levels of need.”
Myers added: “Windsor is expecting a 75% reduction in their federal homelessness funding which will have a devastating impact on the already stretched services in the community. Municipalities will continue to be faced with difficult decisions and the growing consequences that homelessness is having on their communities.”
Myers said the cabins will present “a unique opportunity” as people are given more autonomy.
“Clients have their own unit and access to the unit is restricted to the client and staff only,” he said, in a report.
“There is a shared communal space and kitchen which can be opened and closed at certain times. This layout diverts staff’s time away from safety and behavior management, and instead directs their time towards life skills and case management. It is recommended that security be contracted to be the primary resource for safety and security. The cabins would be treated the same as any other municipally owned housing unit with the same expectations. This will better prepare clients for their next move into private or public housing. Staff’s time will be focused on building life skills, searching for housing, community referrals, and working with their clients in the community to maintain their housing wherever they are.
Myers added: “Freeing up staff’s time from a safety orientation will allow energy to be refocused on maintaining tenancies both at the transitional cabin program and in the private market. As people graduate into housing, staff will provide light touch supports for up to three months to assist with a successful transition. Some in the community require supports and services that are not available in CK. This number is small but growing, and a cabin model may, at the very least, provide them a safe place while staff work with community partners to advocate for the services the client needs. Administration has been advising since 2021 that congregate settings struggle to meet the needs of this population.”
Read Myers’ full report, here.
