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DEPUTATION BY JENNIFER VAN GENNIP ON BEHALF OF THE SCATEH BARRIE CHAPTER CONCERNING MOTION 22-G-007, HOUSING AFFORDABILITY TASK FORCE
Jennifer van Gennip on behalf of the SCATEH Barrie Chapter thanked the Housing Affordability Task Force for the important work accomplished and identified in the Housing Affordability Report, and members of Council for its initial support of the Task Force’s recommendations at the January 10, 2022 General Committee meeting.
Ms. van Gennip commented that housing is a human right and priority must be given to those who currently have no housing options. She provided an example from the United Nations wherein the law requires governments to implement reasonable policies and programs with available resources to ensure that all people have access to housing and within the shortest possible timeframe. Ms. van Gennip noted that the policy puts the responsibility on governments and not the individual in a housing crisis to prevent homelessness.
Ms. van Gennip expressed SCATEH’s appreciation of the City’s $5 million commitment to create a fund for supportive housing with the goal of addressing chronic homelessness, and the request to the County of Simcoe to match the contribution and hopefully partner with the City in the future.
Ms. van Gennip advised of SCATEH’s support concerning General Committee’s discussion of warming centres. She noted that everyone deserves a safe affordable place to call home, and a safe consistent way to stay reasonably warm during the winter. Ms. van Gennip discussed the shelter system expanding to offer more beds to meet growing demands, the fears and anxieties of individuals that do and do not want to use shelters and the difference of using the shelter is not the same as going inside to stay warm.
In conclusion, Ms. van Gennip thanked members of Council for their unanimous support at General Committee and hopefully again at City Council.
Members of Council asked a number of questions to Ms. van Gennip and received responses.