GUELPH/WELLINGTON – A County of Wellington report shows the region has seen a increase in the number of people experiencing chronic homelessness this year and that trend is expected to continue next year as well.
In the first quarter of 2024 there has been a monthly average of 198 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in Guelph and Wellington County compared to an average of 149 in 2023, according to a report by director of housing Mark Poste.
This is a 33 per cent increase.
“County staff monitor and analyze the By-Name List historic inflow and outflow trends as well as the number of individuals experiencing of homelessness in our community. Like many other communities, Wellington-Guelph has seen a rise in experiences of homelessness in 2023 which has continued to grow in 2024,” Poste states in the report.
“New pressures on the housing stability system over this time include a dramatic increase in families (64 new individuals) and asylum claimants (44 new individuals) experiencing homelessness.”
The report also projects by Dec. 31, 2024 there will be 212 people experiencing chronic homelessness compared to the known 173 as of Dec. 31, 2023.
The region is also seeing an increase in the average number of newly homeless individuals each month in 2024 at 24.5, which is 30 per cent higher than 19 individuals in 2023.
Poste states if these trends continue, the county expects to see a continued rise in those experiencing homelessness with a projection of 232 individuals by the end of 2025.
The report also highlights the increasing number of emergency shelter beds and temporary accommodations.
In 2019 there were 52 emergency shelter beds for youth and adults and today there are 146 available. There is also capacity to add 20 additional beds when there are spikes at 23 Gordon St.
The county also expects 40 new transitional housing units and 24 new shelter beds to come online over the next 12 months.
In 2023, the housing stability system was able to permanently house 144 individuals which represented 40 per cent of the 368 individuals known to be experiencing homelessness over the course of 2023. It has housed 90 people in the first five months of 2024.
“The housing stability system provides a necessary and important response to crisis situations,” Poste states.
“While it is important to provide the options in our housing stability system it is essential to remember that the best way for our community to address homelessness is to permanently house people experiencing homelessness.”
The full report can be found on page 731 of the county council agenda for Thursday morning’s meeting.
