Dufferin County - Community Plan to Address Homelessness

Situated 80-km northwest of Toronto, Dufferin County has experienced some of the rapid growth associated with communities near large urban areas, and is predicted to grow from its approximate 38,000 residents at this point to over 60,000 residents by the year 2006.   Still, significant portions of the County remain rural: its three main communities: Shelburne, Grand Valley, and Orangeville are separated by considerable distance. (Appendix 1.0)

Although not as prevalent as in the large urban centers, homelessness is becoming a very significant and growing problem in Dufferin County.  In January 1999 an Advisory Committee was formed recognizing an increased problem in locating and maintaining affordable accommodations for persons with special needs, families and single persons.  It was recognized that early interventions should be put into place to assist persons facing severe accommodation problems and to develop recommendations for appropriate longerterm initiatives to minimize homelessness in Dufferin.  As a result Dufferin County was able to implement the Housing help project which provided for the hiring of a Housing Counsellor to assist persons facing a housing crisis. The Housing Program has been in high demand with over 600 client contacts in the first year. 

With the list for subsidized accommodation extending to approximately 4 years for a family to wait, and the limited number of private rental units there has been an ever increasing need for a number of these families to rely on temporary living arrangements with family, friends, or settling for substandard accommodations.  Although many long-term options are being pursued for permanent housing, there is a greater need to assist those persons who are unable to secure housing. This can be attributed to the lack of affordable housing stock as well as a current vacancy rate of 0.1%. (Appendix1.1).  

Dufferin County presently has an emergency shelter for women (16 years or older) and their children who have been abused physically, sexually, emotionally, verbally or financially. These women and their children can stay at the shelter for up to six weeks.  The shelter will also provide emergency shelter to women who are experiencing a housing crisis whenever space is available for up to two weeks.  Unfortunately, the shelter can not accommodate the needs of the entire community, and must refuse space.  Recently the shelter reported 131 requests for space were denied for various reasons over a six- month period. (Appendix 1.2)

Currently Dufferin County does not have a shelter for men, or families with male children over 16 years of age.  The Salvation Army in cooperation with Social Services provides emergency accommodation in local hotels throughout the County, for a maximum of two nights.  This is not a solution, but rather an interim support offered until the Housing Counsellor is able to meet with the clients to provide referrals to other resources. It is not always possible to solve the housing crisis within the amount of time provided, therefore clients have to seek space outside of the County.  This only increases the clients stress to have to relocate to an unfamiliar community, and place the burden on another community to provide shelter.

Publication Date: 
2000
Location: 
Dufferin County, ON, Canada