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11/29/2021 The Work Begins...REGIONAL COUNCIL BEGINS TO REVIEW THE CONCERNS SURROUNDING
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IN Local News on This Topic
Chair Redman would love to see an end to homeless camps - The Record - 30/11/21
Top region official apologizes for encampment eviction, commits to review process - CBC News - 29/11/21 "This is not who we are": Regional Council addresses public outcry over removal of homeless encampment - CTV News - 29/11/21 Regional chair distressed by removal of housing encampment in Kitchener - City News Kitchener- 29/11/21 "This is not who we are": Eviction of Kitchener encampment discussed at regional council Monday - The Record - 29/11/21
Related Reads
Proposed November 17th, 2021 to Regional Council in seeking temporary solution to homeless displacement
- Content and related links
November 9, 2021 Committee of the Whole Regional Council -Point In Time Count |
Related InformationBecause there must always be music... |
11/25/2021
Looking More at Unsheltered Displacement
It's sometimes hard for me to get my head around the multitude of activity we have locally. We are amazing!
My attention keeps coming back to the issues we have going on locally atm in terms of the displacement of our local homeless population.
I keep trying to figure out what that first step towards resolving these challenges is, most immediately and specifically how to best support those who are most literally, right now, without a warm safe place to lay their heads at night, left on our streets lacking other options.
There is no good solution. There are steps we can take. I suggested but one (two but one proposal), others having many times offered options and similar opinions too. Encampments are not a long term solution. No one should be forced to live that way, but right now people are being forced to live that way, because we’ve proven to have no alternatives to offer. To me this is less about where we should be, what our baseline should be, and moreso about accepting and acting on where we clearly are.
My attention keeps coming back to the issues we have going on locally atm in terms of the displacement of our local homeless population.
I keep trying to figure out what that first step towards resolving these challenges is, most immediately and specifically how to best support those who are most literally, right now, without a warm safe place to lay their heads at night, left on our streets lacking other options.
There is no good solution. There are steps we can take. I suggested but one (two but one proposal), others having many times offered options and similar opinions too. Encampments are not a long term solution. No one should be forced to live that way, but right now people are being forced to live that way, because we’ve proven to have no alternatives to offer. To me this is less about where we should be, what our baseline should be, and moreso about accepting and acting on where we clearly are.
Tents removed from homeless camp - CTV NEWS - 11/26/21
I can understand how my first request might not be as easy to start with, and if it did seem the right idea would likely need further work.
That said, I find myself stuck on the second listed request of:
“I ask that the removal of these substitute homes be considered stopped, given that the structures are located on Regional land and not private property.”,
as it seems to remain as a valid and reasonable consideration.
Anything else would take time, time that we no longer have. Time we didn't have already when COVID-19 hit. We started from behind then, and seem to be falling further behind instead of gaining ground. The numbers show that.
There is logic to it too. Not only does it remove the direct added/enhancement of psychological and physical damage caused in forcing relocation, it also contrubutes positively in multiple ways.
But a couple to start with:
As I continue to explore this topic, I'll toss more out here.
Even if this isn't the perfect solution, and it really shouldnt be, we need to continue these conversations. We can't delay on it any longer, we've waited too long already.
If we are not going to choose to act, not going to make changes in the way we currently treat these citizens, we need to start really asking ourselves more honestly why. Because we can, it is a choice.
One being made by those priviledged enough to have a place to call home.
That said, I find myself stuck on the second listed request of:
“I ask that the removal of these substitute homes be considered stopped, given that the structures are located on Regional land and not private property.”,
as it seems to remain as a valid and reasonable consideration.
Anything else would take time, time that we no longer have. Time we didn't have already when COVID-19 hit. We started from behind then, and seem to be falling further behind instead of gaining ground. The numbers show that.
There is logic to it too. Not only does it remove the direct added/enhancement of psychological and physical damage caused in forcing relocation, it also contrubutes positively in multiple ways.
But a couple to start with:
- Increases the stretch of agency and grassroot supports budgets - further respects citizen contributions of aid as well
- Everytime displacement takes place personal belongings and often tools used to survive are destroyed, lost or damaged. This equates to the cost of replacement falling somewhere. We all know municipal and agency budgets are tight, so why do we continue to drain them this way?
- Everytime displacement takes place personal belongings and often tools used to survive are destroyed, lost or damaged. This equates to the cost of replacement falling somewhere. We all know municipal and agency budgets are tight, so why do we continue to drain them this way?
- Enables firmer connectivity with those living rough by Outreach staff and volunteers, allowing better trust building and assistance
- This also reasons to suggest that through the increase of trust built, aid is also then better received and supports themselves are more successful in their provision/offering of assistance
As I continue to explore this topic, I'll toss more out here.
Even if this isn't the perfect solution, and it really shouldnt be, we need to continue these conversations. We can't delay on it any longer, we've waited too long already.
If we are not going to choose to act, not going to make changes in the way we currently treat these citizens, we need to start really asking ourselves more honestly why. Because we can, it is a choice.
One being made by those priviledged enough to have a place to call home.
And Then This Happens at Stirling and Charles in Kitchener....November 26th, 2021
The grassroot community erupted... With Love! - November 28th, 2021 Protest rally
The Work Begins in Council Chambers - Regional Council Discusses the Displacement at Charles and Stirling - 29/11/21
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