Group calls for solution to homelessness

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A representative of a new citizens’ group called on council to do more to address the homelessness problem in Tillsonburg.

Speaking on behalf of Take Back Tillsonburg, town resident Rick Aarnoudse outlined several instances he described as being unacceptable, including people passed out on Broadway, a man yelling at people in downtown parking lots, needles found in public, and people urinating and defecating in public.

“That is not the Tillsonburg any of us want to live in,” he said.

He emphasized he wasn’t looking down on the homeless, as these are real issues.

“Leaving people to live in chaos in allies and parks and encampments is not compassion,” he said. “True compassion is moving those people into safer, structured environments while also restoring dignity to public spaces.”

Aarnoudse realizes this situation is not unique to Tillsonburg and cited the recent example of Barrie city council declaring a state of emergency.

Saying the situation can’t be accepted as normal as it harms businesses, residents, and the homeless themselves, he provided several suggestions of things that can be done to help the situation, suggesting enforcing existing bylaws against indecency, trespassing, loitering, and public intoxication.

“Laws without consistent enforcement are meaningless,” he said. “Ignoring them only encourages more rule-breaking.”

He realizes Tillsonburg can’t shoulder this alone and needs to partner with Oxford County.

Enhanced community reporting is also needed, and Aarnoudse pointed to the 3-1-1 reporting system used in Alberta. A web or app was suggested as a solution, as were trespass orders for repeat offenders.

After the presentation, Coun. Chris Parker said he shared the same concerns. He pointed out the Tillsonburg app is already in place to allow people to report problems.

“That’s a tool in the toolbox we’re able to use. It’s a great app,” Parker said, adding that the town can’t collect taxes to deal with homelessness, but the county does.

Coun. Kelly Spencer clarified that if anyone witnesses drug use, they should call the police and not use the app. She said Oxford County is addressing the situation through several homelessness initiatives, which include the new Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in Woodstock, set to open soon, as well as transitional services and addiction treatment.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy, the town’s representative on county council, said a date for the opening of the HART Hub hasn’t been set, but it is coming soon. The county is also looking at creating a low-barrier extended-stay shelter.

“One of the reasons people won’t go into shelters is they may have a pet or there may be other issues,” she said, explaining the new shelter will have private rooms with lockers and will allow pets.

There are also spaces available in the overnight shelter in Tillsonburg during the winter and the Woodstock year-round shelter.

“This is where the challenge lies. You can’t force people into housing, you can’t force people into treatment.,” Gilvesy said.

Gilvesy also said there are outreach programs that inform the homeless about available services and provide toothbrushes. Other local initiatives include meals being available seven days a week, a police unit for outreach, and increased foot patrols. Gilvesy said the province recently made it illegal to consume drugs in public and pointed out some provinces have changed regulations to make it possible to force people into shelters. She said that it is a matter that discussed with the MPP as it would require a change in provincial legislation.