Affordable housing shortage behind increase in Sudbury encampment population

Greater Sudbury says more than 200 people are living in encampments in 49 locations in the city, more than double the population from last summer.

Officials said Wednesday the shortage of affordable housing is leaving more and more people without a place to call home.

“Some units are being taken over to be renovated and people are being asked to leave,” said Gail Spencer, the city’s manager of housing stability and homelessness.

“We see the impact of the fact that social assistance rates have not increased in years. The average market rent for one bedroom is well over $1,000 a month now in the City of Greater Sudbury while social assistance rates Ontario Works still only provides $390 a month for someone to pay their rent.”

“We are seeing the impact on persons who are on fixed incomes such as seniors,” added Ray Landry of the Homelessness Network.

“We are seeing more and more seniors requesting services on the streets -- we are counting more and more. And that is a direct of new ownerships in buildings. The prices of rent going up when there is a turnover in ownership.”

The city said it works with community partners who offer supports in encampments. In some cases, when people need help getting to a place where they can be housed, the city provides money for transportation through a flex fund.

Officials with Greater Sudbury said Wednesday the shortage of affordable housing is leaving more and more people without a place to call home. (Alana Everson/CTV News)

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“We can provide funding to someone who may have an opportunity to go and live somewhere else with a family member, with a friend, return to a home community if they are not from here,” Spencer said.

“Sometimes they just get stuck here and they can’t get home. So we have a fund that can provide access to a bus ticket other sources of transportation.”

City officials said the Lorraine Street transitional housing build is expected to be complete at the end of the year. It will open 40 units in a complex that provides housing and supports for people who have been chronically homeless.