At least three vulnerable individuals who have set up a sleeping camp just outside the entrance of the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall at Riverwalk Commons will soon be evicted, according to the town’s legislative services department.
But Newmarket’s seasonal homeless shelter executive director Ann Waton said the main issue is “they really don’t have anywhere to go”.
“Tonight we’re going to get frost, apparently,” said Watson, who oversees Inn from the Cold and its November to April overnight shelter program. “It’s such a complicated issue, it’s a growing issue, and if we were open 365 days a year we might not be full every night, but there’s just too many people who, when we close, are left to camp.”
On the morning of Oct. 4, a passerby noticed cots, sleeping bags, chairs, blankets, and other possessions in a shopping cart tucked up against the wall of the community centre. The occupants were not there at the time.
With one month left to go before the local shelter opens overnight on Nov. 4, and temperatures are forecasted to drop to near of below freezing in the coming days, Watson said there may be a need for the facility to stay open longer.
“I hear at least once a week about someone sleeping behind this or that place, and bylaw gets called and they have to move, I understand that,” she said, adding she hasn’t yet received a call about the vulnerable individuals camping at the community centre. “But for them to be in such a public place, maybe they want people to see there is a crisis. Most people prefer to be somewhere where they’re not seen.”
Watson said what needs to be addressed in the community is the lack of affordable housing.
“There’s no short-term fix, and there’s a willingness to invest in some more affordable housing, but because there’s been such a divestment in that, we’re just lagging so far behind. It’s going to take years to catch up,” she said.
For every person who is housed through any of the local shelters, Watson said there are two more people at the door.
“The cost of housing is not going down, it isn’t stabilizing, it’s getting worse,” she said. “Rents are going up, cost of living is going up, and income sources for people living with many challenges, mentally and physically, are going down. The reality is it’s super difficult once you lose your housing to get back into it.”
In an emailed statement, the Town of Newmarket said its bylaw services addresses the situation by visiting the individuals and asking them to relocate.
“We will also contact York Region Social Services to provide any additional assurance and resources they may need,” the town said.
Residents who notice these vulnerable individuals should contact customer service (905-895-5193) so a formal ticket is created, and bylaw officers can investigate.
Watson said the solutions to homelessness are as complex as the problem.
“We can work on prevention, and on other supports and programs that help people journey out of homelessnes, but we have to address the structural issues here: the cost of housing is too high for people who are low income and we have to get building again, especially housing for those who are most vulnerable in our community.”
It takes between 200 to 260 volunteers to help operate Inn from the Cold's overnight shelter from November to April, and the shelter has issued a call for volunteers.
Several upcoming training sessions have been scheduled, including Oct. 7 from 7 to 9 p.m., Oct. 23 from 7 to 9 p.m., and Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
In addition, Inn from the Cold will host an open house on Wed., Oct. 9 from 7 to p.m. at the shelter, located at 510 Penrose St., Newmarket. You can learn more about its programs, take a tour, meet staff and volunteers, as well as shelter participants.
To register to volunteer or for more information, visit here, email volunteer coordinator, Martha Berry at [email protected], or call 905-895-8889, ext. 221.
For more information on Inn from the Cold, visit here.
