A local organization dedicated to assisting individuals experiencing chronic homelessness is seeking ongoing financial support from the Region of Waterloo as regional officials prepare to review the budget in the upcoming weeks. A Better Tent City (ABTC) has proposed an annual fund of $236,390 in a recent presentation to the Community and Health Services Committee.
During the committee meeting, board members Laura Hamilton and Marion Thomson Howell highlighted the positive impact of the region’s current funding, which has enabled the employment of four essential staff members. Hamilton emphasized how this financial support has facilitated the implementation of crucial life stabilization programs, leading to 36 residents accessing vital counseling, addiction, and mental health services that have facilitated their transition to permanent housing.
Despite receiving previous funding from the region, ABTC is now requesting additional financial assistance to address emerging challenges. Thomson Howell, who serves as the director of ABTC, stressed the need for an extra $180,000 to bolster security measures and enhance connections with housing services for residents. This funding would support efforts to regulate visitor access to the site, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all individuals utilizing ABTC’s services.
Acknowledging the critical role of dedicated staff in supporting residents’ housing goals, Hamilton emphasized the importance of having on-site housing specialists to aid in the transition to permanent housing. Unlike some other facilities that have in-house housing staff, ABTC relies on external agencies for this support, which currently only visit the site once a week.
Ryan Pettipiere, the region’s director of housing services, noted that the region has previously provided temporary financial aid to ABTC and is exploring ways to formalize their relationship to offer more comprehensive support, including additional staffing. By further integrating ABTC into the region’s emergency shelter system, Pettipiere believes that enhanced collaboration and administrative backing could be provided to better serve the community in need.