Hopes are a planned forum on housing and homelessness in Sarnia-Lambton sparks ongoing dialogue, an organizer says.
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“Hopefully not just this event, but an ongoing communication process whereby the community at large can ask questions,” said John Barnfield.
The Rayjon Share Care co-founder was part of a group who visited London recently to learn what the city has been doing to help homeless people and manage encampments, as Sarnia-Lambton contends with the same issue.
A key takeaway, group members said in July, was fostering conversation between some 200 groups over three months to come up with a community plan.
Now, officials are trying to foster a similar conversation here.
“It’s to bring the whole community together,” Barnfield said of the Community Forum on Housing and Homelessness at the Dante Club in Sarnia on Sept. 24 from 7-9 pm
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Almost half the event is dedicated to a community Q&A, and people are encouraged to submit questions in advance to [email protected]he said.
“There’s a lot of interest and . . . passion and frustrations and anger,” Barnfield said of what group members have been hearing locally, adding there’s “a lot of really, really good things going on.”
Presentations on homelessness prevention, affordable and supportive housing and other initiatives from Lambton County, and on help for local homeless people from the Community Health Integrated Care (CHIC) team, are on the agenda.
County officials said about 320 people in May were on the “by-name” list Lambton maintains of individuals experiencing homelessness or without stable housing.
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An ongoing encampment in Rainbow Park officials have estimated at around 50 people has prompted concerns about violence and drug use.
Sarnia city hall said $73,000 was spent between July 27 and Aug. 30 on security, portable washrooms, cleaning up, dumpsters and fencing in Rainbow Park. That follows $90,000 spent on July 26.
If all goes well, organizers hope to host another forum in November, Barnfield said.
“This isn’t just about what happens on the 24th,” he said. “This is setting the wheels in motion for an ongoing process of dialogue, engagement and collaboration within the community, which is much needed.”
That means people can email questions and comments after the event and get a response, Barnfield said.
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“This forum is not going to solve everybody’s problems,” he stressed. “A lot of people will leave with unanswered questions and so on; but what we are opening the door for is an . . . ongoing process.”
The planning group includes Barnfield, Jim Curran, who also made the London trip, Rotary Club of Sarnia member Michael John Kooy, and former Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park head Tom Strifler.
Speakers on the agenda for Sept. 24 include Lambton County chief administrator Stephane Thiffeault, and Julie Harries of the Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Health Team.
with files from Paul Morden
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