Homelessness in Waterloo Region

January 30, 2003

Fund-raising for new shelter in Cambridge

The Cambridge Kiwanis Housing Corporation and the Cambridge Out of the Cold program have begun a fund-raising campaign for The Bridges, a homeless shelter to be built in Cambridge.

Kitchener-Waterloo Record: "Peter McDonald felt free as a bird as he pounded the shady streets of Toronto, a 16-year-old homeless kid without a worry in the world."

Kitchener-Waterloo Record (Opinion): "If you live in Cambridge, keep an eye on this name. It's The Bridges. The Bridges will be showing up a lot over the next several months in the Who Cares? campaign to raise $1.5 million to help build a shelter for the homeless."

January 27, 2003

Activists hold downtown march to highlight plight of homeless

Kitchener-Waterloo Record: "Waterloo regional police broke up a peaceful protest in downtown Kitchener Saturday afternoon, but the activists involved say they will continue to fight for affordable housing in the area."

January 24, 2003

How does Waterloo stack up?

Imprint: Housing at UW compared to other Ontario schools - "As winter sets in and we nestle into the comfort of our duct-taped couches and postered living rooms, the thought of the pending doom of the fabled double-cohort and the housing crisis looms. Or does it? With the first wave of the increasing numbers of freshman coming to Waterloo this past fall, it was supposed to be one of the most difficult years to find housing."

Extreme Cold Weather Alert

The Waterloo Region Community Health Department has issued an extreme cold weather alert for Thursday, Jan 25, 2003.

This post is to notify agencies who may be in contact with individuals who are at risk during extreme weather conditions.

This alert is issued when the temperature is expected to reach -15 degrees Celsius (without windchill), when a windchill warning is issued by Environment Canada; and/or when a freezing rain warning is issued. The following expansion sites in Waterloo Region are preparing additional space for those requiring overnight accommodation:

For additional information, please contact the Waterloo Region Community Health Department at 883-2008.

January 23, 2003

Homelessness Marathon

Radio McGill: "With the goal of being a consciousness raising event, this Marathon will provide an opportunity for homeless people and their advocates to take to the airwaves, and allow a nationwide discussion on homelessness issues. The Homelessness Marathon is available for free to all non-commercial broadcasters." (5-6 Feb 2003) via Metafilter

Warm, safe and almost home

Toronto Star: "Last fall, while bulldozers were knocking down Toronto's Tent City, a similar, but less spectacular, eviction drama was taking place in London, Ont. The two stories ended quite differently. London's Tent City was saved. Next week, if all goes well, it will get a permanent home." via wood s lot

January 22, 2003

Extreme Cold Weather Alert

The Waterloo Region Community Health Department has issued an extreme cold weather alert for Thursday, Jan 23, 2003.

This post is to notify agencies who may be in contact with individuals who are at risk during extreme weather conditions.

This alert is issued when the temperature is expected to reach -15 degrees Celsius (without windchill), when a windchill warning is issued by Environment Canada; and/or when a freezing rain warning is issued. The following expansion sites in Waterloo Region are preparing additional space for those requiring overnight accommodation:

For additional information, please contact the Waterloo Region Community Health Department at 883-2008.

Canada's housing system is discriminatory

Canadian Policy Research Networks: "Canada's housing system is 'dehousing' Canadians. Reversing that situation must be part of any national strategy to enhance the quality of life and competitiveness of Canada's cities. So says J. David Hulchanski, Director of the Centre for Urban and Community Studies at the University of Toronto, and the author of a new discussion paper from CPRN. Housing Policy for Tomorrow’s Cities investigates the federal responsibility for access to affordable housing in the country's major urban centres."

January 20, 2003

Housing shortage a double whammy for women

canada.com network: "The shortage of affordable housing in Montreal is doubly tough on women victims of violence, women's advocates say. Woman trying to flee an abusive relationship or memories of a sexual assault in the home are stymied because they cannot break their lease or find low-rent apartments, said Sylvie Bourque, spokesperson for 22 women's shelters in Montreal."

Medal honours advocate who gave homeless voice

Kitchener-Waterloo Record: "Doris M'Timkulu is modest -- very modest. Yesterday, after receiving a Queen's Jubilee medal for her tireless efforts to help the homeless and poor in Waterloo Region, she simply asked, 'Why me?'"

January 18, 2003

Homeless 'survivors' brace for cold snap

Kitchener-Waterloo Record: "It will be business as usual this weekend at Kitchener-Waterloo's overnight shelters for the homeless, despite the extreme cold-weather alert issued yesterday by the community health department of Waterloo Region."

January 17, 2003

Seeking shelter in the suburbs

Toronto Star: "Ed's toes are still numb. The 48-year-old Brampton man, who didn't want his last name used, spent Wednesday night sleeping in a car and awoke to discover the felt liners of his boots frozen solid. He spent most of yesterday in hospital, where doctors treated his feet for frostbite."

Extreme Cold Weather Alert

The Waterloo Region Community Health Department has issued an extreme cold weather alert for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Jan. 17-20, 2003.

This post is to notify agencies who may be in contact with individuals who are at risk during extreme weather conditions.

This alert is issued when the temperature is expected to reach -15 degrees Celsius (without windchill), when a windchill warning is issued by Environment Canada; and/or when a freezing rain warning is issued. The following expansion sites in Waterloo Region are preparing additional space for those requiring overnight accommodation:

For additional information, please contact the Waterloo Region Community Health Department at 883-2008.

Giving hope and housing to single moms

Kitchener-Waterloo Record: "She was 17, frightened and more alone than she'd ever felt before. Sandra Forwell was also pregnant, left by the boy she thought cared about her, and facing an uncertain future."

January 14, 2003

Network Meeting

The Waterloo Region Community Homelessness Network is hosting its first Quarterly meeting of 2003. You are invited to hear updates from the Committees of the WRCHN

• Meeting the Immediate Needs of the Homeless
• Supply of Housing
• Communications, Community Education & Advocacy
• Preventing Homelessness

There will also be a special presentation about the Seaton House Annex Harm Reduction Program. Come and hear Arthur Manuel (Architect of the Harm Reduction Wet Shelter Approach) and Toby Bruce (Program Supervisor of the O’Neill House Risk Reduction Program) describe their approach to reducing harm for the Toronto homeless.

Download a flyer here (290 KB PDF). If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Christie Beatty at 883-2397 or by e-mail to bchristi@region.waterloo.on.ca.

January 13, 2003

Child poverty video should be sent to Chrétien

Kitchener-Waterloo Record (Opinion): "Let's hope one of our local MPs picks up a copy of a made-in-Waterloo Region video about child poverty and shows it to our muddled, ineffectual prime minister."

January 09, 2003

New poverty gauge based on survival

Globe and Mail: "A rural family who couldn't afford to drive a Chevy Cavalier would be considered poor under a new measure of low income Ottawa is about to release. The new yardstick, called the market basket measure, draws the line at those families unable to afford a shopping basket of basic life ingredients. These run the gamut from 10.45 litres of 2-per-cent milk a week and two sets of new pyjamas for each child every year, to the purchase and upkeep of a five-year-old Chevy Cavalier in communities without a transit system."

January 08, 2003

Kids are suffering, regional council told

Kitchener-Waterloo Record: "Is Waterloo Region fit for children? Not always, Waterloo Region councillors were told yesterday."

Group working to get low-income residents to vote

Kitchener-Waterloo Record: "A campaign to encourage low-income people to vote in the November municipal election is being organized by Kitchener social activists."

January 07, 2003

Winter shelter need rising

Kitchener-Waterloo Record: "Emergency programs providing food and beds for homeless people at Kitchener-Waterloo churches are reporting 'startling increases' in the number of people sheltered this winter."

January 06, 2003

Unlicensed lodging house still open

Kitchener-Waterloo Record: "Three months after the city pulled its licence, a derelict Kitchener lodging house is busier than ever. Frustrated city officials are looking to legal action to finally shut down the unsafe and unsanitary property at 78 Waterloo St. that has drained city resources for more than a decade."