"Whereas Ontario is experiencing a housing crisis, with housing costs far exceeding affordable levels by any standard, including in Northumberland County; and
Whereas the prevalence of homelessness is quickly increasing beyond the capacity of local governments to create new emergency, transitional, or affordable housing; and
Whereas homelessness is a condition that can largely be prevented with adequate resources, but that nonetheless puts an increasing number of residents at risk of considerable harm or death; and
Whereas insufficient housing and social services fail not only to provide for those experiencing homelessness, but also cause significant economic costs to lower and upper-tier municipalities as well as to the province in the form of higher policing, first responders, healthcare, and economic development costs, among others; and
Whereas insufficient housing and social services fail not only to provide for those experiencing homelessness, but also cause significant social costs in communities that experience social estrangement, insecurity, and fear associated with increased crime and visible drug use, all of which causes considerable social and political unrest; and
Whereas the Province of Ontario dictates the requirement for social services including emergency shelters, but limits their operation through insufficient funding, thereby causing said economic and social costs at the upper and lower tiers of municipal governance; and
Whereas the municipalities of Northumberland County recognize our moral and legal obligation (according to the mandates of our respective tiers) to provide adequate shelter and public safety for all residents, but are limited in our capacity to unilaterally do so by constrained finances; and
Whereas the Association of Municipalities of Ontario has requested a social and economic prosperity review, in recognition of these and other challenges faced by municipal governments as a result of insufficient funding;
Whereas Northumberland County appreciates receiving $2,469,500 in additional Provincial funding from the Homelessness Prevention Program for the 310 Division Street, Cobourg Shelter Modernization Project and values our partnership with the Province in addressing homelessness;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved That Northumberland County Council hereby calls upon the Province of Ontario to increase ongoing operating funding for housing, shelters, and other necessary social services to ensure adequate levels of service to meet the needs of our residents; and
Further Be It Resolved That County Council direct staff to send a copy of this resolution to the Honourable Doug Ford (Premier of Ontario), the Honourable Paul Calandra (Minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing), the Honourable David Piccini (Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and MPP for Northumberland - Peterborough South), the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and to all Ontario Municipalities."