A panel discussion held Monday, Aug. 31 at the Carleton Place Arena examined homelessness in Lanark County and the challenges facing those who need housing, mental health care, addiction treatment and other supports.
About 60 people attended, including OPP officers, Carleton Place staff and Lanark County representatives. Fewer than 10 appeared to be members of the general public.
Carleton Place Mayor Toby Randell and Beckwith Reeve Richard Kidd delivered opening remarks. Elle Halladay, executive director of Cornerstone Landing Youth Services, moderated the discussion.
The guest speaker was Iain De Jong, who has worked with non-profit organizations, governments and the private sector on homelessness issues for more than two decades.
The discussion focused on the circumstances that can contribute to homelessness and the systems intended to support people experiencing it.
Panel members said each case is different, with factors such as age, gender, mental health, substance use, family circumstances and income affecting the type of assistance a person may require. They noted that members of the public may see a person’s behaviour without knowing the circumstances that led to that person becoming homeless.
The discussion also addressed what can happen when someone asks for help. A willingness to accept assistance does not mean a shelter bed, treatment space, housing unit or other service is immediately available. Waiting lists, limited treatment capacity and a shortage of affordable housing can leave people without timely access to support.
Speakers discussed the pressures facing Ontario’s homelessness and mental health systems, including limited funding, inflation, population growth and the transfer of social housing responsibilities to municipalities.
The panel also addressed the limits placed on intervention. Adults generally cannot be compelled to enter treatment or accept housing unless specific legal criteria are met, including circumstances involving an immediate risk of serious harm.
No single solution was presented. Speakers said addressing homelessness requires affordable and supportive housing, mental health care, addiction treatment and other services, along with investment from the provincial and federal governments.
The adequacy of provincial income-support programs was also discussed. Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program rates can leave recipients with incomes that do not meet current living costs, adding to the difficulty of finding and maintaining stable housing.
The event was held amid increased public discussion about homelessness and incidents in Carleton Place over the past six months. The panel encouraged residents to consider the circumstances behind visible homelessness and the pressures facing local services and organizations responding to it.
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