By Rosalind Russell – 204%. That’s how much homelessness has surged in the North according to a report from several groups, including the Northern Ontario Service Deliver’s Association.
Mayor of Northeastern Manitoulin & The Islands Al McNevin says the report shines a light on the depth of homelessness issues in the North and outlines a path to eliminate the issue with the necessary investment from all orders of government.
He adds in small, rural, northern communities such as his, homelessness isn’t as obvious as the existence of encampments and we don’t have shelters to refer them to.
McNevin says the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board has managed to support the homeless population with a direct shelter subsidy that is capped at three hundred dollars per month with additional funding from the Canada Ontario Benefit program.
McNevin says his peers support the recommendations from the report that increased funding for these programs until the required housing is in place.
It also says the region could see over 26,000 people counted as homeless by 2035.
Other officials say the impacts on northern communities have been devastating and they need decisive action now – from all levels of government.
The report calls for an urgent $11-billion investment to achieve functional zero chronic homelessness by 2035 across Ontario.
Submit News Tip
