Report finds money spent to fix North Bay’s homeless crisis hasn’t alleviated growing problem
Despite nearly $20 million spent over the last five years to solve homeless issues in the North Bay area, a new report finds the funding has not provided many benefits for those experiencing homelessness.
The report finds that in with the changing landscape and action taken so far, shelter bed supply is not meeting the demand.
“Given the economic circumstance we see in northern Ontario, what we’re seeing on our streets is indicative of what is transpiring,” explained board chair Mark King.
The ‘Homelessness Landscape In The Nipissing District’ report was presented to the social services board Wednesday.
The report also outlines the spending and operating costs at the low-barrier shelter and the Gateway House.
According to the report, the board has invested $2.8 million in developing the low-barrier shelter and Gateway House.
“The low-barrier shelter has accounted for 9.7 per cent ($276,051) of this funding with the Gateway House development accounting for the remaining 90.3 per cent, ($2,562,716).The shelter and supportive housing design and concept is still evolving and under development. Upon completion, this integrated housing with wraparound services and supports will provide 24/7 supports to residents and will focus on life skills,” reads the report.
The report also highlighted the annual operating cost for the low-barrier shelter which is over $1.6 million. That includes six months of day programming that allow the low-barrier shelter to be open 24 hours a day.
The annual operating costs at Gateway House are $1.2 million. The cost includes support services which operate 24 hours each day.
It also outlines the so-called ‘turning point’ when it comes to the homeless situation. In the fall of 2019, North Bay citizens were concerned about the amount of homeless people congregating downtown.
“Employment issues, manufacturing closures, all of those different things and the impact of increased cost of living are all playing a part in what we’re watching,” said King.
At the same time, social service members and those on the front lines helping people with mental health and addictions were finding it harder to help clients with complex issues.
Before the pandemic began, the board was spending on average $1.8 million per year for various homeless initiatives. Now it’s up to $7 million annually.
It doesn’t come as a surprise to Chris Brown, who has spent the last few years working to support the homeless community through HOPE’s Outreach. He has seen the spike in people on the streets.
“There are lots of issues. They really kept band-aiding it and now we’re in another pandemic the homeless rate in North Bay,” said Brown. “We had 105 people at one time at tent city.”
The DNSSAB is currently working on the Gateway House project which will focus on transitional housing.
“It will be opening shortly,” King said.
Another report is expected in October which will look at steps to move forward in fixing the homeless crisis.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.