DECREASE IN HOMELESSNESS FUNDING WORRIES OFFICIALS

Major drop expected in federal program

A projected loss of federal funding over the next couple of years will have a huge impact on local efforts to reduce homelessness, city officials say.

“With housing prices increasing, addictions increasing and domestic violence increasing as well we don't see this issue (homelessness) going away in the future,” Brian Hutchings, the city's CAO told the social services committee Wednesday. “The loss of this money from the federal government will have a huge impact on the local homeless outreach programs we have and reducing the amount of homeless in the city.”

The committee was told the amount of funding provided to the city through the federal Reaching Home Program is expected to drop to $344,441 in 2026-2027 from $1,085,628 in 2025-26.

The city's efforts to reduce homelessness include the housing stability worker pilot program which aims to help those facing eviction remain in housing units owned or operated by the city. The city's encampment network pilot project aims to get people the help they need to move into more stable housing.

The encampment project began in June 2023 and by the end of December 2023 outreach workers had visited 165 encampments. Of the 108 individuals approached by outreach workers, 80 accepted help, a report prepared by the city says.

The city has been receiving federal Closer to Home funding since 2019-2020. In the first year, the city received $307,287, followed by $297,287 in 2020-21.

Funding increased dramatically to just over $1.2 million in 20212022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the amount available has been decreasing since then and is projected to drop further over the next couple of years.

During Wednesday's discussion, Coun. Greg Martin asked if those who live in encampments in the city are from Brantford or Brant County and, if not, are steps taken to return them to the home communities.

He was told efforts to connect those from out of town to services in their home communities have been fairly successful. As of Wednesday, there were two or three cases where those efforts were unsuccessful.

Hutchings said municipalities have to work together to provide social housing and proper programs for those in need in their own communities.

“We're doing really well in terms of building and as a result, people from outside the community will apply for housing in Brantford,” Hutchings said, adding some end up on the city's wait list for housing.

The federal government last year announced that Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy would be extended from 2024 to 2028. Plans call for the program to allocate a total of $1.4 billion in additional federal funding to municipalities across the country.

The social services committee includes representatives of Brant County council and Brantford city council. Plans call for the councils of both municipalities to pass resolutions requesting more funding to combat homelessness.

The resolution will seek to enlist the support of other municipalities as part of a Canada-wide effort to combat homelessness.

Meanwhile, the report noted that the Grand River Community Health Centre provides access to a hygiene station to the homeless people. The station includes shower and bathroom facilities, access to laundering services and a refreshment cart. to agencies and supports.

According to the report, the station handled 1,419 appointments between April 1, 2023 and Feb. 29, 2024.

The loss of this money from the federal government will have a huge impact on the local homeless outreach programs we have.