Chronic homelessness in Waterloo Region climbs 34 per cent in 6 months
The number of people experiencing chronic homelessness in the Waterloo Region increased by 34 per cent in just six months.
There were 271 people who were identified as chronically homeless in November 2020. By May 2021, that number jumped to 365.
The term chronically homeless is defined as someone who was homeless for at least six months in a year or for a year-and-a-half over a three-year period.
Region of Waterloo officials said some of the reasons for the increase include more connections with people, improved data collection and people within the system reaching that threshold.
“They’re ageing into chronic homelessness. They have a connection with service providers. They have a relationship,” said Chris McEvoy, manager of housing services with the Region of Waterloo.
The Cambridge Shelter Corp.'s board chair Sharon Livingstone said it has been busy lately at the Bridges shelter on Simcoe Street.
The shelter is following COVID-19 safety restrictions and to promote physical distancing they reduced their beds from close to a hundred to 34.
Livingstone said a lack of affordable housing and the COVID-19 pandemic are the reasons for the high number of people experiencing homelessness.
“The pandemic has driven housing prices up, so a lot of people who were landlords are selling,” said Livingstone.
The Working Centre in Kitchener said the pandemic isn’t the biggest problem.
“The main factor is the lack of stable full-time work that engages people and as importantly the increase in rents,” said Joe Mancini, the Working Centre’s director.
Regional officials said the numbers are concerning, but they're remaining hopeful.
“Through the $20 million dollars of investments by regional council as well as additional funds both provincially and federally, to invest in new affordable housing and supportive housing or housing with supports,” said McEvoy.
At The Bridges, Livingstone said they're also trying to stay optimistic and pointed out its recent successes.
“We have housed 110 people during the pandemic which is an incredible testament to our housing workers in our private landlords,” she said.
The Working Centre said it is doing its part to help those in need by supporting three major initiatives, such as A Better Tent City which moved to Battler Road this summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.