Roughly 164 households experiencing homelessness in Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County

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According to recent data from Stratford Social Services’ by-name list, roughly 164 households, which includes individuals and families, are experiencing homelessness in Stratford, St. Marys and across Perth County.

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City social services staff presented that number, along with the results of the provincially mandated 2021 homelessness enumeration survey, to city councilors, police, representatives from local stakeholder groups, service providers and the public at a virtual Stratford social services subcommittee meeting Tuesday evening.

While the city’s by-name list of households experiencing homelessness is a more up-to-date reflection of the situation within the geographical boundaries of Perth County, the enumeration survey, which gathered population-level data on people experiencing homelessness on a single night, Oct. 30, 2021, found that a total of 118 people were homeless during the survey timeframe.

“I want to thank all of the community partners who were part of this (enumeration survey) process and all of the individuals who were willing to answer the survey,” said Alex Burgess, manager of Ontario Works at Stratford Social Services. “It’s not always a very comfortable situation to be in when you’re answering the survey and the questions that are put forward, (but) it does help us to inform the service delivery and the work that we’re doing. It also helps prioritize families for services that do become available through our programs. ”

While the by-name list is a living document shared with service agencies and other community partners to ensure those who need help finding permanent housing and connecting with local service agencies can get it as quickly and efficiently as possible, the enumeration survey offers a more detailed snapshot of respondents’ current living situation, their reasons for homelessness, their personal risk factors and demographics like household composition, gender identity and sources of income.

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After processing the responses from all 118 people who participated in the enumeration study, the following statistics were compiled:

And while the picture this paints for Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County is stark, Stratford Social Services director Kim McElroy said the most pressing concern, especially during colder weather, is the recent increase in the number of unsheltered homeless people – a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This issue is not only gaining attention locally,” she said. “It is at the forefront of every consolidated service manager across the Province of Ontario.”

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As homeless encampments continue to appear at a higher frequency in downtowns and in some of the county’s more rural areas, McElroy and Burgess shared details at Tuesday’s meeting of Stratford Social Services’ collaborative and coordinated response to unsheltered homelessness.

That response involves partnerships with numerous agencies, including other city departments, Stratford police and other frontline service providers, a proactive outreach program led by Choices for Change aimed at connecting people with permanent housing and the supports they need to maintain that housing, and a robust homelessness-prevention program meant to ensure people have access to the housing and supports they need before they become homeless.

“If we can find short-term accommodations, we always will, but the end goal is always to work toward securing permanent housing for individuals,” Burgess said. “There’s only one way to end homelessness (and) that’s housing. There’s only one way to end someone’s experience of homelessness, and that’s finding appropriate housing and… having the appropriate supports in place so they can maintain that housing. ”

And when it comes to helping those who cannot be sheltered because they may pose a safety risk to others or have other service restrictions, Burgess said outreach workers continue to meet with them to ensure their personal safety and wellbeing, as well as the safety and cleanliness of their encampments, while attempting to connect them with the services and supports they need to ultimately obtain stable housing.

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“This is a fluid situation that will require us to continue to work with all relevant stakeholders and ensure that we are trying to enhance service delivery when the need arises and address immediate concerns,” McElroy said, adding that the goal of her department and its partners is to achieve functional-zero homelessness in Stratford, St. Marys and across Perth County using the housing-first approach and partnering with agencies to find permanent-housing solutions for unsheltered people.

“I appreciate that it’s a people-first, compassionate approach that recognizes the dignity of all people, whether they’re sheltered or not,” Coun. Kathy Vassilakos said. “So, I think when we see in the news some of the more aggressive approaches to people who are unsheltered or in encampments, I do appreciate the level of compassion and the focus on the end goal of what we’re trying to accomplish.

“I know it often seems like it’s not enough and it’s not there yet, but… we’re only going to get there if we actually do it from the position that we’re doing it now.”

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