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DEPUTATION BY JENNIFER VAN GENNIP CONCERNING MOTION 23-G-023 - 2023 BUSINESS PLAN AND BUDGET
Jennifer van Gennip, Barrie Housing and Homelessness Justice Network, provided a deputation concerning motion 23-G-023, the 2023 Business Plan and Budget.
Ms. van Gennip requested Council consider providing funding for a 24/7 warming centre next winter. She commented that housing is human right and everyone deserves a safe and affordable home, particularly during the winter months.
Ms. van Gennip advised that the need for warming centres increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and that a fully funded warming centre was provided for the first time this year through funding from the County of Simcoe, the City of Barrie, and community donations. She advised that this warming centre, led by the John Howard Society and supported by the Gilbert Centre and volunteers, served 195 individuals in need by providing individuals with a consistent, welcoming, and low barrier place to go during the winter months.
Ms. van Gennip shared the experiences of three people experiencing homelessness that she met last winter. She stated that as little as 1 year ago, she would have appeared before Council requesting support for affordable housing policies. However, this year she is asking for help to keep people alive during the winter. Ms. van Gennip advised that the proposal by the John Howard Society to provide daytime warming was denied by the County of Simcoe, and as a result there is only overnight warming centres that are available when the temperature is -15 degrees celsius or below.
Ms. van Gennip advised that prior to the pandemic, providers were reporting that 15 percent of shelter users were chronically homeless, and the remaining were experiencing a short-term homelessness episode. She stated that during the pandemic, homelessness has ballooned and that the longer a person is homeless, the higher the compound effects of trauma, sleep deprivation, negative impact to mental health, and social exclusion. She commented that these impacts create the need for even more support towards recovery.
Ms. van Gennip stated that there is not only an increased number of individuals experiencing homelessness, but also an increased complexity in their needs. She stated that safety is an issue as there is not enough funding to provide adequate staffing in shelters. She commented that the individuals who need the most support are often asked to leave as the safety of the entire group takes precedence. She stated that individuals are asked to leave shelters each morning, even when hypothermia can occur above a temperature of 0 degrees celsius if a person becomes wet and chilled.
Ms. van Gennip advised that the Ontario Human Rights Commission released a statement asking municipalities to uphold the rights of homeless individuals by providing funding and warming spaces around the clock, and for policies and programs around homelessness to be grounded in human rights approaches and delivered with respect and compassion. She commented that these values were expressed when Council was sworn in this past fall, however there is currently a winter warming plan this year that is inhumane and has left homeless individuals feeling uncared for and abandoned by their community.
Ms. van Gennip stated that she has letters from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, Simcoe County Poverty Reduction Task Force, Barrie BIA, and the Barrie Police Services supporting the request for 24/7 warming centre funding for next winter. She commented that neither the County of Simcoe or the City of Barrie want to include funding for this critical service in their Operating Budget and that the increased need post pandemic requires this type of funding to be included. Ms. van Gennip requested that Council recognize its shared obligation to those experiencing homelessness, and to create a line item in its Operating Budget until such time as the housing and homelessness crisis can be adequately addressed. She also requested that Council petition the County of Simcoe to do the same.
Members of Council asked a number of questions to Ms. Van Gennip and received responses.