Need to tackle root causes of homelessness, message at national conference

Sudbury city councillor Deb McIntosh recently returned from a national conference in Halifax on tackling the growing issue across the country of people having no place to call home.

It was hosted by the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness.

"I want to start with what somebody said during the conference that has really resonated with me and that was that 'we are ending homelessness every single day, but what we need to do is turn off the faucets on the causes of homelessness,'" said McIntosh.

Delegates at the conference heard from people of all ages with lived experience with homelessness, including young people.

"And how the foster care system, they age out. And unlike my children, who have a safety net -- even in their 30s, we are still here for them -- those kids don’t," said McIntosh.

"Those young adults don’t and a lot of them end up in and out of homelessness throughout their lives."

• Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
• Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
• Want more local news? Check out the Sudbury page

The councillor also shared that social services and bylaw staff from the City of Greater Sudbury made a presentation at the conference about how it’s working to help people find a home and also keep that home.

"You know also the supports, once they get into housing, to help them stay there," said McIntosh.

"Pots and pans, and blankets and towels and things like that. Those kinds of wrap-around services. And not just say 'here’s you room, stay there.'"

Another presentation that resonated with her is the importance of safe third spaces for people to come together and feel a sense of community.