Call to set up task force on homelessness

Kitchener city council will be looking deeper into the issue of homelessness following Monday’s council meeting, where over 50 supporters of the Out of the Cold program were in attendance.

There were just two registered delegates regarding the loss of overnight sites but eight people ended up addressing council.

Due to the large number of Out of the Cold supporters and past and present clients, two motions were put forward and passed.

Councillor Berry Vrbanovic says the first was council requesting the region make a presentation so city councillors are as up to date with the issues surrounding the program as regional councillors.

Vrbanovic says he proposed the second motion that was unanimously passed. Council will ask staff to make recommendations regarding the formation of a homelessness task force.

It would be a joint venture between the city and region involving both private sector partners and social programs.

Task force ideas will be presented on September 8th and if the idea is given the go ahead they would report back on November 10th, the first council meeting following the municipal election.

Vrbanovic says people are looking for sites to host the Out of the Cold program but it is a complex issue.

Those issues include the space, the volunteer base, proper training and support for those volunteers and the funding needed to run an emergency shelter program.