Seasonal rooms opening this winter, but permanent shelter also coming
A Welland city councillor is wondering when a full time shelter for the homeless will open.
John Chiocchio appreciates eight additional seasonal rooms are in the works, but calls them "big baby steps", when comparing shelters opening this week in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines.
Director of Community Services Rob Axiak points out the 8 rooms are a short-term solution, but then refers to regional data on homelessness. "So, if you whittle that down to Welland, the City of Welland, our needs aren't as significant as St. Catharines or Niagara Falls."
The city is exploring a permanent option, but that must align with future regional, provincial and federal funding.
Councillor Sharmila Setaram noted the passion people have for this issue. "That means when people are finding individuals who are homeless on the street, there's a lot of passion, rightly so, as to why people don't have homes. And so, sometimes, there's a lot of misinformation."
City staff will see to it that accurate information is made public concerning efforts to help the homeless.
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