Homelessness in York Region: Brining our Community Plan to Life provides
framework for action, new programs and initiatives

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York’s Community and Health Services department this week hosted Homelessness in York Region: Bringing Our Community Plan to Life at the Varley Art Gallery in the Town of Markham.

This community forum, co-hosted by the York Region Alliance to End Homelessness, brought together elected officials, human service agencies, educators, emergency services, health care organizations, funders and the community to discuss the issue of homelessness in York Region.

Forum participants focused on the York Region Community Plan to End Homelessness, a planning tool that identifies priority issues and areas of greatest need for homeless people in York Region.

“Despite the high quality of life that York Region offers, the number of residents vulnerable to homelessness in our community is growing,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. “This forum is extremely valuable. It’s an opportunity to have a cross-sector dialogue, to identify at-risk residents and outline community-based solutions to respond to their needs.”

According to the 2006 Census, the number of residents living on a low income in York Region has increased by 55 per cent since 2001, representing 112,501 people or 13 per cent of the population. For a family of four, this would mean living on an income of $33,251 or less.

“The key issues underlying homelessness are poverty and lack of affordable housing,” said Town of Richmond Hill Regional Councillor Brenda Hogg, Chair of the York Region Community Services and Housing Committee. “A priority of the Community Plan is to maintain and improve the supply of affordable housing, including supportive housing.”

Finding affordable, suitable and adequate housing is becoming increasingly difficult for residents and newcomers to the Region, with 9,715 household dwellings (3.5 per cent) in need of major repairs, 12,665 unsuitable household dwellings (5.9 per cent) and 25,465 household residents (11.9 per cent) unable to afford adequate shelter.

“The gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ is growing,” said Tanya Shute, Chair of the York Region Alliance to End Homelessness. “Today’s forum provided an important opportunity for urgently needed dialogue around this issue. If we are to create liveable and inclusive communities, there must be a broader understanding of the complexity of homelessness and the critical need for affordable housing.”

The York Region Community Plan to End Homelessness is the second update to the original 2001 plan. Developed by a Community Planning Group representing agencies and organizations involved in homelessness issues in York Region, the plan was endorsed by York Regional Council in March 2008.

For more information on York Region Community Plan to End Homelessness, please visit www.york.ca  For information about the York Region Alliance to End Homelessness, please visit www.yraeh.ca