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OPINION GIMME SHELTER: HOMELESSNESS IS A MASSIVE, COMPLEX PROBLEM = _—s MIKE FARWELL Column There is no shortage of communities in North erica facing a home- lessness crisis and it seems there is also no shortage of ideas on how to meet that Here in Waterloo Re- gion, we have spoken about a human-centr fied approach to "nolping the more than 1,000 people currently living unhoused. In its most recent bud- get, our regional govern- ment added millions to its investments in i housing insecurity. Volunteers long ago es- tablished A Better Tent City and a similar, govern- ment-run model has been created in the form of a managed outdoor shelter on Erbs Road. Not-for-profit agencies like the House of Friend- ship and The Working Cen- tre have opened new shel- ter spaces, including 21 new apartments in down- fown Kitchener just last wand there's more to com Meantime, in Hamilton, council is ; considering a voluntary registry for resi- dents and ¢ councillors to host people who are home- S SS. "T'm not suggesting this is going to solve our prob- lem (but this could add) an- other tool in our tool belt," Coun. Matt Francis told the Hamilton Spectator. ‘Tm to find a com- passionate solution for Metroland File Photo People tour an outdoor shelter site on Erbs Road in Wilmot Township. folks." Hamilton council | voted 10-3 in favour of th which, according ane otion, “offers a ‘ ractical cost-effective ap- proach to expanding av: able housing options." Cty will now investigate ihe proposal and report back to council. The concept is not with- out preced Several years ago, the "Spirit of Service" program. emerged in Oshawa. iM col ON-/OFF-ROAD ALL-TERRAIN TIRE delivers _grippin: With a stron: all-new tread compounding Country A/T Available in Flotation sizes U-Metric, The Open Country A/T il all-terrain tire g off-road tracti responsive and predictable on-road handling. durability and treadwear life, Toyo introduces design, construction and Italso provides a quiet ride with exceptional stability. The Open Il is built to get there back home, regardless of terrain or weather. P/Euro-Metric and OUR TIRES GO THE EXTRA MILE. SO DO WE. UNTRY 2/7" ion with and get 519.669.3232 371 Arthur St S, ELMIRA www.oktireelmira.com (@ XX TIRE] Honestly driven. Begun by a group of lo- cal faith communities, a di- verse collection of volun- teers participated in an ed- ucation program to ready themselves for the task of faking on an unhoused member of their communi- t The ideais to providein- dividualized support to the unhoused neighbour and help them move toward stable housing and “other opportunities for their healthy integration into Fresh Cut Rib-Eye Steaks $17.99lb Reg. $20.991b the life of the communit m now in its of operation right here in Waterloo Region. OneROOF Youth Ser- vices, an organization ded- icated to supporting home- less youth, operates the Inder ment, Host Home Provid- ers are given the necessary resources to host youth tho had been welcomed into the program. Host homes can range from sin- gle individuals, couples, or large families with kids. Host homes “provide the youth with a room in their home and receive monthly compensation for room and board." Initially started in 2018 as a three-year pilot pro- gram, the Host Homes pro- gram was such a success that it is been "estab- lished as a permanent pro- gram to complement the wealth of other services available thro Roo Youth Services" _ program or the new pro- 2 posal in Hamilton to pro- & vide the long-sought solu- tion to adult homelessness. But it's worth rei bering that there is no sin, gle solution to what is a massive and complex prob- lem that countless commu- nities are dealing with. And while we continue to advocate for change from various levels of gov- present a step taken for- ward. Columnist Mike Far- well is a broadcaster, MC and advocate. Follow him on Twitter at @far- well_WR, or connect with him via Mike.Far- well@rci.rogers.com. Weekly Specials JUNE 12 - 19, 2023 Store Made 4oz All Beef Burger 12pc Box $19.99ea Reg $22.99ea $39.66kg Reg. $46.27kg Fresh Back Ribs $6.99lb Reg. $8.99Ib $15.41kg Reg. $19.82kg Fresh Beef Brisket $6.991b Reg. $7.99Ib $15.41kg Reg. $17.61kg Store Made Smoked Pork Chops $5.99lb Reg. $7.99Ib I $13.21kg Reg. $17.61kg Fresh Tomahawk Steaks $19.99Ib Reg. $22.99Ib $44.07kg Reg. $50.68kg nger Line, Heidelberg am - 6pm; i 9am-7pm; Spm Sat 7:30 am - 519-699-4590 STEMMLERMEATS.CA | Only the best from our family to yours! '9]9|UOIYDOOLLE}2M