Ending Chronic Homelessness

[bravado]

I think its just hive-mind as it comes to an issue that everyone would love to see resolved but City has done nothing to do.

I think the city of Kitchener is doing the most (by far) in the entire region towards approving new housing, which is the only meaningful thing that a city can do on this issue.

The rest of the heavy lifting on this society-wide crisis comes from powers well above local control. I will gladly roast municipal governments as much as possible, but I think it's quite clear to anyone observing in good faith that the homelessness crisis is not isolated to one city, east or west, poor or wealthy.

[ac3r]

Region's plan to clear Kitchener encampment raises concerns for federal housing advocate: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener...-1.7591109

Hopefully this bylaw means the end of this disgusting eye-sore of a slum.

[bravado]

I guess it’s technically less disgusting when dispersed across the city, but I’m not so certain that out of sight out of mind is “the end”.

[tomh009]

Yes, we need to continue to address this issue, but comments like "spaces in emergency shelters do not offer security of tenure and may be inaccessible or unsafe for many people" when living in an encampment is surely not any better in those areas.

I also think journalists should make a clear distinction between the number of people who need a home (2300) and the number sleeping rough (surely much lower than 2300).

[kzurell]

Point-in-time count

2371 people in any type of unhoused-ness in late 2024.

About half living in various forms of "rough".

A community of tents is much more manageable for people in constant fight-or-flight mode than a barracks-style shelter just from compartmentalization and reduction of stimuli.

I look at the 50-storey buildings downtown and think "there are thousands of people right there" but we don't worry about each other because there are paper-thin walls between all of us.

[tomh009]

Thanks. So, about 40% (or 1000 people) sleeping rough. The number sleeping on the streets or in encampments in the Kitchener urban area is surely much less than that, and we know Waterloo doesn't like homeless people. I do wonder what the number sleeping in cars is; such people are much less visible, and may be more likely to hold full-time jobs, too.

[dtkvictim]

I look at the 50-storey buildings downtown and think "there are thousands of people right there" but we don't worry about each other because there are paper-thin walls between all of us.

In this context, I don't think the walls or lack thereof is the only cause of concern.

Thanks. So, about 40% (or 1000 people) sleeping rough. The number sleeping on the streets or in encampments in the Kitchener urban area is surely much less than that, and we know Waterloo doesn't like homeless people. I do wonder what the number sleeping in cars is; such people are much less visible, and may be more likely to hold full-time jobs, too.

It's odd for the report to break it down that way IMO. I've never been in any of these situations so I guess my thoughts aren't worth much, but in my mind living in a car > living in a shelter > living on the streets or in an encampment.

[tomh009]

I look at the 50-storey buildings downtown and think "there are thousands of people right there" but we don't worry about each other because there are paper-thin walls between all of us.

In this context, I don't think the walls or lack thereof is the only cause of concern.

Thanks. So, about 40% (or 1000 people) sleeping rough. The number sleeping on the streets or in encampments in the Kitchener urban area is surely much less than that, and we know Waterloo doesn't like homeless people. I do wonder what the number sleeping in cars is; such people are much less visible, and may be more likely to hold full-time jobs, too.

It's odd for the report to break it down that way IMO. I've never been in any of these situations so I guess my thoughts aren't worth much, but in my mind living in a car > living in a shelter > living on the streets or in an encampment.

Car or shelter? Pros and cons for each (most cars have no toilet, sink or food--or heat in the winter).

[dtkvictim]

In this context, I don't think the walls or lack thereof is the only cause of concern.


It's odd for the report to break it down that way IMO. I've never been in any of these situations so I guess my thoughts aren't worth much, but in my mind living in a car > living in a shelter > living on the streets or in an encampment.

Car or shelter? Pros and cons for each (most cars have no toilet, sink or food--or heat in the winter).

I suppose there are different kinds of shelters, and something like basically having a private apartment would certainly be better than a car. But with a car you have a permanent, relatively secure place to store your belongings (even if limited), relative privacy, the ability to live on your own schedule (no check in/out times), peace of mind knowing have a space to sleep, etc. Toilets, showers, and food are still accessible enough for that tradeoff to be worth it IMO, especially since having a functional car implies a baseline level of income or savings.

Anyways, my point about the grouping of sleeping in the streets with living in a car being odd is that it seems like those are completely different demographics with different reasons for being where they are, different needs, and different living conditions.

[creative]

I have an estranged older brother who I have not heard from in over 5 years. Long story that I won’t go into. He is around but I don’t know where he currently lives. In the past, he has lived on the streets and in a car. Many attempts were made to provide him with social housing. This eventually failed as they were usually shared accommodation and he was unable to live by any rules. He has always been a survivor, living with mental illness but he is getting up there in years. He wants no contact with my brother and I so we are unable to help him. Unfortunately there are a lot of homeless just like him. Trust issues play a big factor in how they choose to live.

[tomh009]

Car or shelter? Pros and cons for each (most cars have no toilet, sink or food--or heat in the winter).

I suppose there are different kinds of shelters, and something like basically having a private apartment would certainly be better than a car. But with a car you have a permanent, relatively secure place to store your belongings (even if limited), relative privacy, the ability to live on your own schedule (no check in/out times), peace of mind knowing have a space to sleep, etc. Toilets, showers, and food are still accessible enough for that tradeoff to be worth it IMO, especially since having a functional car implies a baseline level of income or savings.

Anyways, my point about the grouping of sleeping in the streets with living in a car being odd is that it seems like those are completely different demographics with different reasons for being where they are, different needs, and different living conditions.

Yes, I would agree with the difference in demographics. Certainly, I could see that people sleeping in their cars would be much more likely to actually be employed. Doing that would be quite challenging if you are sleeping in a doorway or in an encampment.

[ac3r]

but I’m not so certain that out of sight out of mind is “the end”.

As long as the rest of us don't have to see them, that's a win. No place in Canada should have legalized open air homeless encampments harbouring violent criminals, pedophiles trafficking/abusing children and using incredibly hardcore, dangerous drugs in the centre of any community. Justice M.J. Valente and every other moron that supports this should be exiled to Umingmak Nuna.

[bravado]

but I’m not so certain that out of sight out of mind is “the end”.

As long as the rest of us don't have to see them, that's a win. No place in Canada should have legalized open air homeless encampments harbouring violent criminals, pedophiles trafficking/abusing children and using incredibly hardcore, dangerous drugs in the centre of any community. Justice M.J. Valente and every other moron that supports this should be exiled to Umingmak Nuna.

Ok, now I know you're trolling - or just in a deeply cynical hole this whole year.

What's next in your roadmap for solving homelessness? Finding the right architects to design the prisons we need to house them all?

[creative]

I’ve come to the conclusion that this is a fake account of someone with possible mental issues, most likely living in their parent’s basement. In my many years, i’ve never come across anyone claiming to be at the top of their field, spending so much time trolling on a small and relatively insignificant message board.

[panamaniac]

I’ve come to the conclusion that this is a fake account of someone with possible mental issues, most likely living in their parent’s basement.  In my many years, i’ve never come across anyone claiming to be at the top of their field, spending so much time trolling on a small and relatively insignificant message board.

You may be straying into Moderator territory ...