2020 #GuelphBudget rant: Please @cityofguelph Council... use your role to advocate vigorously for PERMANENT supportive housing in Guelph. Something that @gwpoverty has been saying for years. The City is not in the ‘housing business’! That is a @wellingtncounty responsibility.

If the City wants to be in the game, then get more representation at the table with the @wellingtncounty and demand they allocate housing dollars to Guelph. If the City wants action, identify and clear the way (waiving development charges) for City land/sites...

as suggested by @jen_keesmaat during the Toronto election in order to expedite addressing homelessness. We are a City that thrives on partnership - let us leverage the expertise of all those who come to the many tables around our community and seek a permanent and evidence based

solution. I’m sorry but ‘TinyTown’ is a bandaid and, IMO, a degrading one. Those who are homeless deserve to be treated with dignity and not put in shipping containers. Has enough research been conducted into the efficacy of this idea? What do the subject matter experts say?

I get it - we want action, but we should be hearing more from @CAEHomelessness and @BuiltforZero. I was reminded today that our own #BuiltforZeroGuelph small but mighty team has taken effective and deliberate action 2 address homelessness in our city. Here’s what they have done:

https://caeh.ca/bright-spot-guelph-wellington/ these numbers have continued improve and Guelph remains a bright spot across Canada! Thanks to their quiet yet impactful efforts they are transforming our most vulnerable citizens lives for the better.

Last two points: 1. In a Made in Guelph kind of way, why aren’t we seeking creative partners who would willingly build a net zero permanent supportive housing multi unit building? Something that could be an inspiration to other communities around the world. And would demonstrate

our City and its partners offering OUR BEST for our most vulnerable citizens. I’m reminded of conversations with @akantamn regarding #energypoverty and seeking global solutions through how we treat, value and respond to those who have the least resources.

And lastly, investments must be made by @ONgov through @WW_LHIN 2 provide CORE funding 2 a supportive housing model delivered by local partners. And our Federal government must provide promised housing dollars in order to build such an important project through @wellingtncounty.

Thanks for listening to this ‘sermon’. Let’s all do our part to #EndHomelessness! Thanks 2 @CamGuthrie @MikeSchreiner @LloydLongfield for your passion and commitment to this issue. Let’s work together to see this dream fulfilled.