Planning to prevent, address and reduce homelessness

December 07, 2023
Development of York Region’s first Homelessness Services System Plan underway

Newmarket – The Regional Municipality of York is working on a Homelessness Service System Plan to enhance how to respond to homelessness in York Region. The plan aims to prevent, address and reduce homelessness and is a crucial component of our next 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan.
 
“Homelessness is a growing challenge across York Region, and we need collaboration for any and all solutions to work,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “Working with our partners, York Region’s proposed plan focuses on tackling chronic homelessness and strengthening a human rights-based approach to guide decision-making on homelessness to create strong, caring and safe communities for all residents.”

The plan includes three main priorities: prevention and diversion, intervention and housing stability and designing a coordinated system response. To develop this plan, York Region will engage with local cities and towns, community agencies and people with lived experience.

During a Special Meeting of York Regional Council on Thursday, November 23, 2023, community partners and sector experts shared insights on challenges in addressing homelessness and effective initiatives organizations are leading to support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Partners and experts presented what is happening in the community and the need for additional supports from all levels of government to increase affordable housing and elevate supports for those in need. Council heard from the following:

  • United Way Greater Toronto
  • York Regional Police
  • Community Legal Clinic of York Region
  • Help Seekers Technologies
  • MAP Centres for Urban Health Solutions
  • LOFT Community Services
  • 360°kids
  • Blue Door

“The plan will use data to highlight targets and investments needed to reduce chronic homelessness,” said City of Vaughan Regional Councillor Gino Rosati, Chair of Community and Health Services. “Taking an evidence-based approach will help address systemic causes and needs of people in our communities.”

York Region will continue consultations in the coming months to inform development of the Homelessness Service System Plan, which will be presented to Regional Council for consideration in 2024.

More information on York Region’s Homelessness Service System Plan is available on york.ca/planforhomelessness

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses with more than 615,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices

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Media Contact:

Tamara Ostrowski, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 1-877-464-9675, ext. 71226 Cell: 905-251-6412
Email: @email