The growing issue of homelessness will be front and centre later this month, as county officials host a two-day symposium in the hopes of finding ways to improve the lives of the area’s most vulnerable.
By bringing together local decision-makers, key service providers and people with lived experience to discuss complex, integrated health and housing challenges in the community, County of Wellington officials are looking to begin working on an action plan.
The symposium is not open to the public or the media.
“Addressing health and housing issues is essential to the social and economic development of our communities, otherwise, it will continue to impose unnecessary costs on our health system, community agencies, and government,” says Luisa Artuso, the county’s social services administrator, in a report to the social services committee.
“The complex intersection of health, homelessness, income security, and lack of supportive and affordable housing calls for collaborative, strategic action from communities and all levels of government.”
The invitation-only event is set for Jan. 30 and 31 in Guelph. It will feature facilitated discussions intended to help participants better understand the issues facing both residents and agencies that have noted increases in the number and acuity of people in need of help.
Among the items to be discussed are likely two motions approved by Guelph city council in October. One calls for the consideration of supportive housing initiatives including shelter services and permanent supportive housing, as well as the integration of health services in the housing sector.
The other is the possibility of establishing designated locations for temporary encampments within the city.
An official agenda for the symposium hasn’t been made public at this time.
