The Rural Housing Information System Project Manager for the Rural Ontario Institute was one of the organizers of the recent Canadian Rural and Remote Housing and Homelessness Symposium 2023 co-hosted hosted by the Rural Development Network and the Rural Ontario Institute.
Kezia Cowtan says about 280 people from across Canada attended the virtual event. She says they looked at both the housing shortage and the issue of homelessness, but she says most of the municipal representatives there felt homelessness was a priority. She says some municipalities have been more successful than others in dealing with homelessness.
“But I think other sector partners are also coming to the table, like mental health and addictions and even some of the hospitals are coming together because they're seeing that the biggest need is getting these people housed and providing the support that they're needing so they're not draining on other systems," Cowtan said.
She says that could be police departments or any other emergency responders.
So, Cowtan believes it's top of mind for all of the municipalities.
“To make sure that the folks who are facing homelessness are housed in whatever shape or form that ends up taking. It's probably different for each municipality or different province but I think that is a top priority for sure because in lots of our provinces you just can't live outside year round," added Cowtan
Working towards affordable housing is a longer-term plan, but Cowtan says she's optimistic that the building of more homes of various levels will eventually bring down the cost.
