KAWARTHA LAKES-The City of Kawartha Lakes says it is temporarily increasing shelter capacity as the snow and cooler temperatures arrive.
Kawartha 411 News has learned residents are living in a tent underneath the bridge near Rona and others are relying on tents for shelter near the Iron Bridge. We reached out to the City to find out if they had a plan to provide assistance.
“Our homelessness outreach worker regularly connects with individuals staying outside and ensures that appropriate connections to services are made,” Michelle Corley, Manager for Housing told Kawartha 411 News.
Corley says Kawartha Lakes is using a coordinated approach to monitor and plan for the needs of those experiencing homelessness in our community.
“Our main focus is to provide long-term solutions and resources, with an emphasis on housing-focused outcomes.”
The City is closely working with A Place Called Home to find ways to create emergency shelter capacity for those who need it the most and staff continues to take part in community planning efforts to find housing and support options for those with the greatest needs according to Corely.
“No one ever should have to spend the winter unsheltered in Kawartha Lakes. The Community Safety and Well-Being Plan identified mental health and addictions, housing and poverty as top priorities. Over the next year, the important collective work to reach the goals of the Community Safety and Well Being plan will be necessary to address homelessness in Kawartha Lakes.”
In the meantime, the City says it will temporarily increase shelter capacity by placing some who require shelter in motels, while offering additional support and financial help to find housing-focused solutions.
In late 2022, Statistics Canada revealed more than 235,000 people across Canada experience homelessness in any given year.
Homeless encampments have been increasing across Ontario and Canada since the pandemic and with limited shelter space, a lack of affordable housing and increasing rents, more and more people are left with few options but to pitch a tent.
A significant tent city developed in Peterborough over the last few years. Councillors recently purchased a number of tiny homes to provide shelter to some of them.
If you know of someone who needs emergency shelter from the cold in the City of Kawartha Lakes, the number to call for A Place Called Home is 705-328-0905.
