Huron County's homelessness programs supervisor presented county council with some of the needs to address homelessness in the county.
Erin Schooley said the "Out of the Cold" program in Goderich is meeting some of the immediate needs but what's really needed is something long term.
She said they only see people at Out of the Cold for a brief time and then they have to move on and what is needed is some kind of supportive housing so that people leaving the shelter can enter safe, stable housing with the supports they need.
“Supportive housing for those who are struggling. We only see people come to shelter for brief periods and then we move them along," said Schooley.
She also said people are coming to the Goderich shelter from all over the county and that's a problem for people that are taken out of the community they are familiar with.
“So as it is at this point in time we already have options available throughout the county to take a cab and come into Out of the Cold and we will consider, or review, the request by councillor Finch to see how we can transport them back on a daily basis,” Schooley added.
A majority of the funding for the program, 69 per cent of it, is dedicated to the prevention so Schooley says they are doing their best to address the issue before people need shelter. And she said she believes the number of homeless people is increasing but it's very difficult to track because so many people survive by couch surfing or staying with friends.
