Greater Napanee’s Mayor is requesting that the board of Prince Edward-Lennox & Addington Social Services (PELASS) put the need for a more comprehensive housing and homelessness strategy on the agenda for their upcoming housing summit.
The request follows a recent resolution by Greater Napanee Council, which asked the Lennox & Addington County, provincially mandated to oversee affordable housing and homelessness services in Greater Napanee, to consult with the public and develop this strategy.
The strategy, required under Ontario’s Housing Services Act, should also help Greater Napanee residents understand the goals and efforts of housing authorities related to affordable housing and homelessness, and include regular reporting to the public.
The County serves as the housing services manager under the Housing Services Act and is responsible for managing affordable housing and homelessness in Lennox & Addington and Prince Edward counties. PELASS is accountable for delivering these services to both counties.
Mayor Richardson stated on Monday that council members have continued to receive calls from residents seeking clarity on the efforts to address the housing crisis.
“I can confirm that the residents of Greater Napanee do not feel heard, they do not feel consulted, they are not confident there is a real plan in place, and they are out of patience,” he stated.
“As Mayor of Greater Napanee, I believe that the County of Lennox and Addington and PELASS must have a public dialogue on homelessness and encampments, and there needs be a plan that has clear, measurable goals in place.”
CAO Matthew Grant added that the problem of those living without shelter is getting worse.
He said that while the County and not the Town has the mandate and funding for homelessness, the Town is experiencing significant operation impacts.
In the past year those impacts include:
– Over $200,000 in budget impacts
– The majority of our by-law services capacity
– 10% of all fire calls
– Significant legal costs
– Increased training requirements – including hazardous waste disposal
Last week, Mayor Richardson formally asked PELASS to include the need for a comprehensive plan on the agenda of its upcoming housing summit scheduled for October 1.
Greater Napanee is specifically seeking:
A commitment to develop a comprehensive housing and homelessness plan, as required by Ontario’s Housing Services Act.
A comprehensive public consultation conducted by the County of Lennox and Addington across the various communities impacted. A commitment to engage in more public communication and reporting on the efforts being undertaken and what is being achieved.
The PELASS Housing Summit will involve all four lower tiers of the County of Lennox and Addington, the County Government, and representatives from the municipality of Prince Edward County, and will involve elected officials and staff.
The livestream of the media briefing can be seen on the Town of Greater Napanee’s YouTube channel.
(BROCK ORMOND)
