Homelessness Task Force

• The HTF monitored development trends and options for affordable housing at both the Federal and Provincial levels of government.

• Assessed local shelter operating hours and addressed any operating challenges or gaps in service hours.
• Conducted an environmental scan of available public and private indoor spaces for possible warming centres, while avoiding duplication of services with other agencies.
• Through the Community Services division at the Town of Orangeville, initiate warming centres for winter 2024 and cooling stations for summer 2024 at the Alder Street Recreation Centre, Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre, and the local Libraries while ensuring to publicize this initiative.

• Identified governmental agencies responsible for supporting vulnerable people.
• Develop tactics and timelines to address deficiencies.
• Include the County of Dufferin, Provincial Agencies, AMO resources, and Faith-based organizations in the discussion.

• The Sustainability of the Dufferin Men's Shelter
• The need to support the Out of the Cold Program.
• The varied forms of affordable housing required in the Town of Orangeville.
• The commitment from both the Federal and Provincial government in addressing the Affordable Housing Crisis.
• The commitment by SHIP 236 First Street Housing project and the continued dialogue with Habitat for Humanity on a possible affordable housing project. 
• The lack of motel space for the Barriers to Motel program.

 Opportunity to Share Feedback with Council

• Upon the start-up of the HTF, concerns regarding the viability of the DMS due to financial and board challenges.
• How best to address the housing needs and homelessness challenges for a growing number of visible and vulnerable individuals.
• Need to establish warming centres during pre-determined cold-temperatures.
• The Town does not have financial or the personnel capacity to properly support homelessness in Orangeville.
• The Planning Act, Land Use Policy, and Zoning needs to allow for more affordable housing.
• County is not recognizing needs and that is why the HTF was created.

 Recommendations

1. Encourage the County to focus on the growing homelessness issue in the County.
2. Form a County-led Homelessness Task Force.
3. Commit to annual funding for the Out of The Cold program and establish partnerships with faith-based organization to operationalize.
4. Consider a broader mean temperature when declaring when warming centres can open (zero (0) degrees vs negative five (5) degrees).
5. Flag Town owned land (as per Infrastructure Services Land Inventory Report) that could be used for affordable housing initiatives.
6. Address creative options on finding homes for the homeless.
7. Approve the Terms of Reference for the new Affordable Housing Task Force for September 2024.

To advise and explore options and work with stakeholders relating to homelessness issues in the Town.

The goals and objectives were to:

• Evaluate completed needs assessment and formulate recommendations regarding next steps
• Report to Council on the results of the needs assessment and recommendations regarding next steps including any funding requirements