A report released earlier this month noted over the past four years, homelessness in Ontario has climbed in excess of 23 per cent to more than 76,000 individuals.
And, in the report from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario, the number of unhoused people is expected to increase to more than 88,000 over the next three years.
It’s a far different story, however, in St. Thomas-Elgin, where the region has reached a major milestone in efforts toward a functional end to homelessness in 2027.
For the first time, the number of people moving out of homelessness and into housing exceeded the number of people becoming homeless.
Between Jan. 1 of this year through June 30, 79 people in St. Thomas-Elgin moved from homelessness into housing, while 69 individuals became homeless over that same period of time.
And, the By-Name List, which tracks people experiencing homelessness locally, dropped to 86, a 34 per cent reduction compared to the same time last year.
“This is proof that when a community comes together with a shared plan and shared compassion, we can change the course of something as difficult as homelessness, advised St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston.
A collaborative effort with partners like Indwell, the YWCA, Eastwood Housing and Doug Tarry Homes.
“Every person who moved into housing this year is the result of partners working together,” stressed Danielle Neilson, Acting Director of St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services (pictured at right).
While achieving that functional end to homelessness next year may feel like crossing the finish line, Neilson pointed out it really is only the beginning.
A component of that collaborative effort is positive media coverage, added Neilson.
When asked about the relative lack of negative feedback in the community to the various supportive housing projects undertaken by Indwell in St. Thomas, Neilson agreed, “It’s not that it’s unnatural for a community to be upset initially when they learn that a service such as supportive housing is coming into their community.”
She added, “One of St. Thomas’s greatest resources is its people. For the most part, everybody wants to see all of the community members thrive, and appreciate and support the projects that we’ve been investing in to make that possible. And, collectively public administration, community partners and politicians all share the same vision.
“And so when we do announce that a project’s happening, we’re well informed on why it’s happening, what it is, and in a position to be able to answer the questions and concerns that come our way, for the most part. And I think that helps sort of soothe the irritation that might be underneath NIMBYism before it becomes problematic.”
We asked Neilson to explain the workings of the city’s By-Name List.
Indwell, a Christian charity that creates affordable housing communities, is a significant player in St. Thomas, partnering with the city on Railway City Lofts on Talbot Street, The Station on Queen Street (photo below), and its latest development with the repurposing of Balaclava Street Public School into 78 units of supportive housing, equipped with essential supports to assist residents, and to be known as Balaclava Crossing (photo below).
Neilson explained the flow-through process with Indwell residents.
An important segment in that collective homelessness effort, added Neilson, “How important it is that all levels of government work together in partnership in order to achieve these types of outcomes.”
Dominique Giguere, Elgin County Warden, added, “This milestone is an encouraging sign that the work being done across St. Thomas-Elgin is making a difference. When more people are moving into housing than entering homelessness, it tells us that the collective efforts underway are achieving the results we want.”
Written by Ian McCallum
