Achi news desk-
City staff does not recommend a temporary built-in encampment in Guelph.
They tested the idea after Mayor Cam Guthrie used his powerful mayoral powers to request a report.
According to the findings of that report, homelessness and housing stability services are the responsibility of Wellington County, not the city. The report also said that the creation of a temporary structured encampment site is outside the scope of municipal services for the city of Guelph.
He adds that no money is allocated within the 2024-2027 multi-year budget for such a thing, and there is no grant funding available from other levels of government.
According to the report, the upfront cost for 50 modular units will be about $2.5 million, or about $50,000 per unit. Ongoing operating costs will range from $40,000 to $50,000 per unit or $2 million to $2.5 million annually for 50 units .
“The report does answer all the questions we were looking for,” Mayor Cam Guthrie said Friday.
The team also surveyed all city-owned and controlled properties, and parks were considered the largest and most suitable areas for this use. They looked at four parks located within 600 meters of the city center. The report stated that the park plan approved by the council defines the parks as primarily for human enjoyment, recreation and connection to nature. The staff said that converting the parks, even for a short time, would cause a mismatch with this definition and affect a wide range of park users.
If the council directs staff to revisit the parks idea, a public engagement process will begin to identify potential locations and solicit community feedback.
Parking lots were not considered at this time.
In March, the municipality called for private landowners who may be interested in donating land for a period of no less than three years. The team later determined that there were no suitable submissions from this process.
Infrastructure Ontario also surveyed its lands in Guelph and determined that there was no suitable site in the city.
The mayor and the district respond
The mayor posted the report on social media Thursday and asked residents to share their thoughts.
“I still think there may be a role for us here, whether it’s partnering with the county or other people in the community to see what we need to do next,” Guthrie told CTV News.
The city, he added, is making progress in addressing the housing crisis.
“We succeeded well in Guelph. In permanent supportive housing we have about 108 units that are opening this year.”
But the mayor knows that more needs to be done.
“We have a housing problem and a homeless problem,” Guthrie said. “So some of the weighing of those issues and the balancing of those issues is something that I think still needs to be discussed, especially in a crisis.”
CTV News also reached out to Wellington County Jailer Andy Lennox, who shared the following statement: “As the director of housing services for the City of Guelph and Wellington County we remain focused on trying to help house as many people in need as possible. We continue to partner with the City of Guelph in addressing the needs We trust that the city council will decide what they believe is best for the city of Guelph.”
Guthrie, meanwhile, hopes to see more information from the government.
“I was hoping that the district would really see what’s going on here and maybe get back to us on how they can help. The federal government might see what we’re trying to deal with and help, and I think that’s where a lot of the money should come from and not on the taxpayers’ backs. But we can’t just ignore it.”
other considerations
The municipal team’s report stated that additional wrapping services will also be needed for a temporary built encampment and fundraising for it may be taken from other housing fundraising campaigns.
About 30 people using the Stepping Stone Shelter Support Program were surveyed about their thoughts. The report said about 50% of respondents were open to moving to a temporary built-in tent site. The majority said the site should take a low-barrier approach to guests, pets and substance use.
The report adds that the county budget allocated an additional $152 million over the next three years for various supportive housing initiatives. Staff said this would allow many transitional and supportive housing units to open.
The report still needs to be discussed in the city council before a decision is made on a temporary built encampment.
