A reiteration at the city council meeting this past Monday (Nov. 18) that The INN is not the answer to homelessness, it is strictly an emergency shelter.
The point was driven home – again – by Danielle Neilson, the city’s Manager of Housing Stability Services during a discussion of The INN’s ongoing operating budget.
It generated a bevy of questions from council members, kicked off by Coun. Steve Peters requesting clarification on the financial role of ElginCountyy.
“In our role as the social service provider and the housing provider on behalf of the County of Elgin, if at budget time we approve this, I take it there will be a share of those costs provided by the county?
Neilson responded in the affirmative.
“I am happy to confirm that there will be cost sharing between St. Thomas and the county, subject to the budget being approved.”
Coun. Lori Baldwin-Sands observed, “This (The INN) has been a beacon of light for other communities. They are looking to us for examples.
“When we were at AMO (the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference) in August, many times people came up to us and said what a great job we are doing.”
Brian Elliot (pictured above), executive director of the shelter added, “Two weeks ago in Ottawa at the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness conference, they shared there is a funding opportunity that will be coming down early next year that will help aim toward more sustainability for shelters across Canada.
“Also the Ministry of Housing announced more money would be going into the Reaching Home budget.”
This is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. It provides funding to urban, Indigenous, rural and remote communities to help them address their local homelessness needs.
“But the future is more like emergency housing or more supportive housing, not emergency shelters.”
Elliot continued, “So we are currently in the midst of doing up our request for funding from them. We’re not sure what the amount of money is. We won’t know that until April of next year, but there does seem to be a bit more urgency from other areas around making sure that shelters are supported correctly so we can move to that next stage of getting people housed.
“We work really tirelessly internally on fundraising, developing gift-in-kind and things of that nature.
“We are a fairly lean shelter operation, in terms of how we do things, we’re very transparent with our funders around our operation.
“There is no shortage of needs. We could add more housing case managers, prescription supports, transportation and medical and mental health appointments.”
Which prompted Coun. Jim Herbert to ask whether there is a possibility of expanding The INN.
“I think it’s important to emphasize and continue to have the conversation about the fact the emergency shelter is not the solution to homelessness,” stressed Neilson.
“The solution to homelessness is housing, affordable housing and housing with supports as needed.
“I am very happy to share with you that we have plans underway in our community for increasing supportive and affordable housing to a number of units that actually exceeds the number of people who are currently experiencing homelessness.
” . . .we do envision the look and feel of The INN to be different than just an emergency shelter and becoming more in line with supportive housing and re-direction.”
“Those units come online throughout 2025 and 2026, which gives us the opportunity to reimagine how The INN supports our community.
“They are learning a ton about being available and effectively supporting a very complex population.
“But the future is more like emergency housing or more supportive housing, not emergency shelters.”
In order to have everyone housed by 2026.
As to the important role of volunteers at the shelter, Neilson noted, “There are so many who do so much in our community. That’s one of the ways Brian has been able to lead the shelter and his team to really be lean on their operating expenses.
“Other shelters are operating at closer to $2 million (annually) with anywhere from 60 to 100 per cent of that cost being funded by the municipality.
“So those volunteers who dedicate their time to be part of the work that is happening at The INN really does impact that operating budget and creates opportunities for people.”
Elliot closed out the discussion by offering, “As our board starts to look toward strategic priorities over the next three years, we do envision the look and feel of The INN to be different than just an emergency shelter and becoming more in line with supportive housing and re-direction.”
The annual operating costs of The INN are approaching the $1.5 million mark which, Neilson pointed out “is comparatively less than the operating costs of other emergency shelters of similar size and scope.”
To date, The Inn has not received funding from the city to assist with operating costs.
City council has already given the green light to a $195,000 one-time investment for The INN, and a request for $400,000 in additional funding will be part of the city’s 2025 budget deliberations which will get underway shortly.
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PROVINCE STRENGTHENS ELGIN’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR
Proof that the decision to locate a PowerCo EV battery gigafactory in St. Thomas is already impacting the region was evident earlier this month when the province announced a $15 million investment to boost manufacturing at three Municipality of Bayham factories.
Phil Mauer & Associates is investing $ 4.6 million to expand their facility and product ranges to bid on new work across the auto supply chain.
ETBO Tool and Die is investing a total of $9.3 million to undertake a 42,500 sq. ft. facility expansion and to acquire new equipment.
And CKDpack is investing almost $1.2 million to develop a new production line.
Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Rob Flack made the announcement at Phil Mauer & Associates in Eden.
“We will be supporting a total investment of $15 million to three companies. ETBO Tool & Die, Phil Mauer & Associates and CKDpack. They are obviously automotive suppliers.
“There are 58 new jobs created and also sustaining 300 jobs that exist.”
“Just the recognition from the province that these industries are able to pivot and take advantage of their regional investments that are happening in Elgin is a testament to the fortitude and strength of our local economies and those who are participating in them.”
Flack added the investment helps lay the foundation for a strong economy in Bayham and Elgin county for future generations.
Founder Phil Mauer said the funding will allow the company to deliver their products more efficiently to meet the needs of the auto industry.
“We are more determined than ever to keep pushing boundaries, creating new solutions and driving growth, for ourselves, the automotive industry and for this region which we call home.
The company was founded 32 years ago with a few individuals working in a trailer designing steel, returnable racks to transport auto parts.
Etienne Borm, plant manager at ETBO in Calton noted, “We invest today to support global growth but, more importantly, to support the growth of our region and community and leverage ourselves with Volkswagen and their continued investments.”
He added, that ETBO is committed to the automotive EV transition through battery and hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Located in Straffordville, CKDpack specializes in zero-waste industrial packaging and serving the automotive, food, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.
Elgin County Warden Ed Ketchabaw called it “a momentous occasion.”
“Just the recognition from the province that these industries are able to pivot and take advantage of their regional investments that are happening in Elgin is a testament to the fortitude and strength of our local economies and those who are participating in them.”
Flack referred to the investment as strengthening Elgin’s growing manufacturing sector with new, good-paying jobs.
SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SENIORS
More affordable housing is now available downtown thanks to a partnership between the City of St. Thomas and Prespa Group.
The recently completed development at 15 Flora Street consists of 24, one-bedroom units.
Prespa Group has developed strategically designed and built apartments over two years.
It represents safe and affordable housing for seniors, acknowledges Mayor Joe Preston.
“We’re now looking at increasing the stock that we have available to us. What we call housing lists. And people are already moving in now.”
There are four, barrier-free units, parking for each apartment, kitchen appliances, ensuite laundry, air conditioning, and a community room for socializing and activities.
The partnership illustrates the role private developers can play in tackling the city’s housing challenges, advises Preston.
“Affordable housing is a fundamental need, and this development marks a vital step toward providing our seniors with safe, comfortable, and accessible living options right here in St. Thomas.”
“I saw an empty apartment today and a lovely lady showed me the apartment she has already moved into. And how homey it is and beautiful. We’ll count them all in our housing stock, from geared-to-income or affordable rent.”
Heather Sheridan, St. Thomas Director of Social Services adds the partnership reflects the city’s commitment to supporting residents who need it most.
Preston says the partnership is perfect for what the city needs to do.
“We’re going to look for more and more and more of this. This little block of land that can’t be too much else. Let’s build something on it or allow a builder to build something on it.
“We’ve allowed him (the developer) to build it so why don’t we work with him and what would be the total lease for the whole building? And we did. It’s perfect for what we need to do to get people nearer to groceries, nearer to banks and easy to visit. It’s perfect.”
Sheridan makes it clear, “Affordable housing is a fundamental need, and this development marks a vital step toward providing our seniors with safe, comfortable, and accessible living options right here in St. Thomas.”
She adds, “Our partnership with Prespa Group reflects our commitment to supporting residents who need it most. Together, we’re creating not only a housing solution but a stronger, more connected, and resilient St. Thomas, where seniors can thrive within their community.”
YOUTH CONNECTING WITH POLICE OFFICERS AS PEOPLE
We don’t typically run items out of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, however, the hope is this will have implications in St. Thomas and across the Thames Valley District School Board.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service earlier this month announced a renewed partnership with the Algoma District School Board and the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board that will herald the return of a full-time, uniformed High School Liaison Officer to local high schools.
According to a release from the police service, “This partnership will provide students, staff, and families with enhanced safety, education, and relationship-building opportunities.”
That individual is Const. Lyndsey Pilkington (pictured above) who noted, “Connecting with youth has always been a focus of mine, whether in the classroom or in uniform.
“I’m looking forward to being a consistent presence and role model in our high schools, supporting students, and working together with staff to create a positive and safe environment for everyone.”
She will be visible in a total of five high schools within the two boards.
The release goes on to note, “The focus of the High School Liaison Officer will be on education, awareness, and building positive relationships within the school communities.
“Through responding to incidents involving students, participation in school activities, and informal interactions, the officer will work to support students’ safety and wellbeing, while also promoting a deeper understanding of the role of police in our community.”
Police Chief Hugh Stevenson indicated, “We are excited to see the return of a full-time High School Liaison Officer to our schools.
“It’s important for youth to connect with police officers as people – not just as law enforcement. This renewed partnership is an important step in building trusting relationships and ensuring our students feel safe and supported.”
“Through this partnership, we aim to increase awareness of important safety issues and create an environment where students feel supported. By fostering these connections, we hope to empower our students to become responsible, engaged members of our community.”
Director of Education Lucia Reece added, “We are pleased to revive the High School Liaison Officer partnership and to have Constable Pilkington at our secondary and alternative sites more regularly.
“We had much positive feedback from students, staff and parents in previous years and during the Dynamic Patrol pilot, as many recognized how this role contributes to building strong relationships between our students and the police, as well as fostering an environment of trust and respect.”
Fil Lettieri, Director of Education at the HSCDSB concurred, “We are excited to welcome a School Liaison Officer to our high school, as this role will help build strong relationships between police and our students. Through this partnership, we aim to increase awareness of important safety issues and create an environment where students feel supported. By fostering these connections, we hope to empower our students to become responsible, engaged members of our community.”
In 2021, both the TVDSB and the London District Catholic School Board paused their allowance for police officers to attend their schools except for emergency purposes.
And it continues to languish in pause mode.
Despite survey results released in June of this year undertaken by the Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation (OSSTF) spotlighting a significant increase in violence within the province’s public schools.
According to the survey, 75 per cent of federation members report an increase in incidents of violence since they began working, with 31 per cent having personally experienced physical injury.
This has prompted urgent calls for action from education professionals and policymakers alike.
OSSTF president Karen Littlewood noted the violence is not just physical but also psychological.
“People who’ve had pieces of their scalp ripped out, broken bones, chunks of skin bitten off, scratching, spitting — you name it. The psychological harm is just as severe, if not more so.”
The survey included responses from over 6,500 members working in public schools from kindergarten to Grade 12.
Are School Resource Officers likely to return anytime soon to TVDSB schools?
With the re-election this past Tuesday of board chair Beth Mai, things will indefinitely remain in a holding pattern.
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