200107 Mayors Task Force Homelessness MINThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness
January 7, 2020
1:30 p.m.
45 Hardy Ave, Tillsonburg, Marwood Lounge MINUTES
Present: Town of Tillsonburg: Mayor Stephen Molnar, Chair; Dave Rushton, Treasurer and Acting CAO; Emily Xuereb, Deputy Chief Building Official; Andrea Brown, Recreation Programs and
Services Manager; Amelia Jaggard, Deputy Clerk; Laura Pickersgill, Legislative Services Coordinator and Jadie Scaman, Fire Prevention Officer Helping Hand Food Bank: Joan Clarkson; Tom Langrell OPP:
Inspector Tony Hymers; Jeff Doubs South Western Public Health: Laura Gibbs, Program Manager; Devin Tamasi, Public Health Nurse Faith Presbyterian Church: Pastor Steve Richardson Oxford County: Lisa Lanthier, Manager of Human Services Salvation Army: Sue Nagy, Community Services Worker Oxford County Community Health Centre
Allison Leger, Housing Stability Outreach Worker; Amanda Cook, Outreach Worker 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 1:31 p.m. 2. Minutes from the Previous Meeting Faith Presbyterian Church is in the process of purchasing a new building that could potentially serve as a host location for a long-term shelter.
Oxford County has a “Community Homeless Prevention Initiative Fund (CHPI)” that
is allocated to assist residents in paying for hydro, water, first and last month’s rent, rent arrears and is available to those employed or with children living in Tillsonburg to pay for one room on a monthly basis at the Hilltop Motel in Tillsonburg.
It was noted that the Hilltop Motel has been experiencing issues related to vandalism
from the noted population using the rooms. The intent of this initiative was to provide accommodations for a one to two night stay rather than offering a long-term
solution. It was discussed that motels now fall under the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Board. Motels are hesitant to offer monthly accommodations as
potential issues could arise with the tribunal. It was noted that historically homeless people were being escorted out of the Town boundaries by OPP but that this is no longer the practice as there is no legal authority to do so.
Oxford OPP have partnered with Woodstock Police and Canadian Mental Health Association (Oxford) to provide a Mental Health Clinician program. Between September 4, 2018 and September 1, 2019, these clinicians made approximately 988 contacts and made approximately 500 referrals to social services. Recently,
these clinicians have conducted foot patrols with officers so that the clinicians can make contact with the willing homeless population to provide connections to community services for assistance. Some anonymous case examples will be provided at the next meeting.
There were two kinds of homeless population identified being those who live on the street or in tents and move around frequently that are appreciative individuals experiencing difficult times and the other are those who have experienced difficulty through finances or divorce and were subsequently kicked out of their residence and are unemployed.
The transit system in Tillsonburg has provided an opportunity for residents to be easily connected to the industrial area for more employment opportunities. The Intercommunity Transit Route will provide further options to increase access to larger centres resulting in even more employment opportunities.
The affordable housing crisis was discussed in length. It was noted that there is a need for multiple levels of housing but even the employed population has difficulty sustaining these resources due to the high costs of rent. It was noted that the average individual receiving Ontario Works on a monthly basis receives $343/month
if they are homeless and if they have a home then they receive roughly $390 additionally per month. It was noted that a housing benefit will be available in April 2020 from the Province to act as a rent supplement for those living in unaffordable places.
Pastor Richardson provided an overview that the Faith Presbyterian Church is willing to host an emergency shelter but require proper zoning for their building and would require the resources through the Town to assist with training and staff hiring.
It was noted that Council adopted a Report on December 9, 2019 written by the Interim CAO, that was approved, in principal, having the Rotary Room in the Tillsonburg Community Centre act as a shelter location during extreme cold weather alerts. This room includes a kitchen and is accessible. It was suggested that the
members from Faith Presbyterian Church could be used as volunteers at this location.
It was discussed that many people don’t prefer shelters due to safety concerns and potential relapse of drug abuse by being surrounded by other drug users at these facilities. It was noted that a substance-free policy could be implemented at the shelter. It was discussed that many people addicted to drugs are unable to be sober
for 12 hours and therefore are not able to access existing shelters. It was noted that it would be pertinent to review the demographic of the homeless population to see where our priority would be.
It was suggested that grant funding could be available to assist with start-up costs for a shelter but that funding is not guaranteed in future years which could make such program unsustainable. There is a program in Woodstock called Trumpet of Truth Refuge that is faith based
and provides opportunities for laundry services, lunch and showers. More information is available at trumpetoftruth.org. The Salvation Army has approached laundry service businesses in the area and has not had any participation for offering free services to the homeless population.
There was discussion about offering showers at the community centre once a week for the homeless population. South Western Public Health intends to share anecdotal information on common issues to assist in diminishing systemic barriers to allow these services to occur.
It was noted that a community safety well-being plan will be mandatory as of January 2021. A Representative from the Oxford Housing Coalition, the Oxford County Social Planning Council and a congregation member of Faith Presbyterian Church will be
invited to the next meeting. It was noted that Southwestern Public Health could issue the cold weather alert to the Town of Tillsonburg prior to enactment of the emergency shelter.
Tillsonburg Resources Network will be hosting a public meeting on February 7, 2020 beginning at 9am. Location is undetermined pending RSVPs. This meeting is intended for different agencies and partners to come together to share their plans for housing support and homelessness further.
Oxford County Community Health Centre is hosting a drop-in housing support centre on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Livingston Centre. 3. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.