Dire need for increased affordable housing options, further social supports
BRAMPTON – The City of Brampton is calling on the province to work with municipalities on a concrete plan to address the homelessness crisis. The City of Brampton is committed to working with all levels of government on a range of housing, social service and health solutions and is asking the Province of Ontario to actively engage in developing a plan dedicated to taking action. Homelessness has the greatest impact at the municipal level of government, and the residents it serves.
By the numbers:
• The Region of Peel shelter use increased by 26.9% in 2021
• 50% of demand for persons with need for supportive housing continues to go unmet
• 70% of low-income households are living in unaffordable housing
Paul Vicente, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 5, introduced a motion, which passed unanimously, at a meeting of Brampton City Council this month urgently seeking the following action items from the Province of Ontario:
• Acknowledge that homelessness in Ontario is a social, economic, and health crisis
• A commitment to ending homelessness in Ontario
• Increasing the supply of housing affordable for low- and middle-income households
• Work with the Associations of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and a broad range of community, health, Indigenous and economic partners to develop, resource, and implement an action plan to achieve this goal. For a full copy of the Council Resolution click here.
The City of Brampton joins its Association of Municipalities of Ontario counterparts in advocating for more immediate action to combat the homelessness crisis.
“The City of Brampton cannot address this crisis alone. Municipalities continue to grapple with homelessness, inadequate mental health and addictions supports, and increasing housing costs. We need the province to develop a plan to ensure everyone can thrive, by creating more affordable and supporting housing options and meeting people where they are with the resources they need to be successful.” – Paul Vicente, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 5 of Brampton