Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis has released a statement about the ongoing State of Emergency declared following an “overdose emergency” near the downtown core back in February of 2024.
The release from the Mayor’s Office is included in it’s entirely below.
RELEASE – The City of Belleville declared a State of Emergency in 2024 for the growing addiction, mental health and homelessness crisis. As of now, the city continues to operate under this declaration, recognizing that the problem not only persists, but has worsened since then.
The City of Belleville partners with the County of Hastings for the provision of social services, including housing and homelessness. The County works to ensure that services and supports are offered to all individuals who present as homeless and works directly with individuals to prevent homelessness. It should be noted that the organization cannot force people to accept supports and services being offered. A group of individuals are requesting that the City provide land for an encampment. The City and County do not support the use of public lands for regulated encampments and will not be meeting these demands.
Addressing the severe addiction, mental health and homelessness crisis that exists in the city is a responsibility of the provincial government. This issue is a complex social problem that requires a multi-agency response and a cohesive, directed plan is needed from the upper levels of government to properly address this crisis. Both the City and County continue to seek meaningful assistance from the Province on these files to address these issues. Since the declaration, the provincial government has provided funding for the HART Hub, however this alone will not address the crisis that many communities like ours are facing. Further action is required and we continue to await guidance from our provincial and federal partners.
(PAUL MARTIN)
