The County of Essex is halting its Intensive Supportive Housing program.
County council was faced with two options as presented by administration as part of last Wednesday night’s meeting.
One would have seen a new contract with a provider while the other, which was ultimately decided upon, would cancel the program entirely.
According to director of legislative services David Sundin, moving forward would have cost the county $500,000 a year for the first year of a five-year contract and $650,000 per year for the following four years. Or $100 per day per diem which would have risen to $111 per day.
“This is significantly higher than the $60 per day the county receives for this program,” said Sundin.
Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey brought forth the motion, which, upon lengthy discussion, was agreed upon which was to table any decision and work with the City of Windsor to see if they can get more funding.
“I agree with the other members of council that the province aught to be putting more money into these types of programs,” said Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb. “It shouldn’t be up to the municipalities to back what is essentially a provincial responsibility, but we all know that’s not going to happen.”
Gibb said that during the recent provincial election that many constituents wanted action when it comes to homelessness and mental health.
“Sure, it’s a lot of money but how much is it saving by keeping high needs individuals out of the hospital?” he asked.
Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kim DeYoung agreed with Bailey that more provincial funding is required and that a regional approach is the best way to go.
“I believe in the power of positive thinking. We really need to hold the province accountable. The election is over,” said Lakeshore Deputy Mayor Kirk Walstedt.
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara said that a few years ago, Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andew Downie, who was recently re-elected, said that over $4 million was coming to the region for the program.
When McNamara asked Sundin if any of that had reached the county, Sundin’s reply was “no.”
McNamara and Gibb voted against Bailey’s motion to work together with the city to get more provincial funding.
LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche said that cancelling the program was not an easy decision and agreed that pressure to the province from both the county and the city was the way to go.
“I know administration has done a lot of work behind the scenes and will ensure these people are properly cared for and we can come up with the best solution,” said Meloche.
Warden Hilda MacDonald said the county did not have a lot of options and that continual conversations with the city are needed.
“The province has to start handing money out,” said MacDonald.
MacDonald went on to say that the situation was “heart-wrenching” and told her fellow county council members that which ever way they voted on the future of the program, there was no bad choice either way.
“However you vote, you are not right or wrong. We are trying to do the best we can with the options we are given,” said MacDonald.
Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy said that lobbying the province was an option and commented, “as long as we continue to pay, they won’t.”
Essex County decides to suspend housing program
By Fred Groves
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