Housing advocates in Thorold are continuing their push to find land to develop affordable housing, in an attempt to counter the increasing need from marginalized- and low-income households at risk of homelessness.
Thorold Housing Group member Bill VanderKlippe told a virtual city council last night that 13 percent - or around 971 households in Thorold - are in 'core housing need', living under inadequate, unsuitable or unaffordable conditions, with income levels not allowing for other suitable alternatives.
The number reflects the regional average, but VanderKlippe cautioned that the numbers are a few years old.
"It is probably a bit higher than what we are seeing here," he told council.
The biggest needs are for single households and single parent-households, VanderKlippe said, adding that one core element needs to come through before anything else:
"If this project is to go anywhere, we somehow have to get housing up at a reduced cost. That is where we need everybody to line up," he said.
There have been recent calls from both activists and municipalities around Niagara for the region to declare a state of emergency over the rising issues around homelessness, mental health, and addiction.
Thorold Housing Group is continuing to keep a lookout for available land or properties that could be repurposed.
How is homelessness affecting you in Thorold? Email your story or news idea to [email protected]
