City of Welland doing what it can reach the homeless, yet face legalities in how
City of Welland is doing what it can to handle the homelessness crisis, and what to do with camps.
Director of Community Services Jessica Ruddell says outreach workers do their best to assess individuals and direct them to help.
Councillor Claudette Richard, though, expressed frustration as homeless numbers keep rising, and many people refuse help. "We've got human rights of refusal of treatment, but then we've got the forcing of treatment to save lives... it's kind of a no-win situation at times."
Councillor John Chiocchio was at the last AMO conference, and noted homelessness as the number one issue, over the economy or anything else.
Council was reminded homeless camps simply can't be moved without a place for them to go, or without a reasonable motive to move them.
Director of Community Services Jessica Ruddell. "The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, that assures us of the access to shelter. Just as a reminder, the emergency shelter that will be put up in Welland, is a housing focused shelter."
Councillor Graham Speck adds municipalities risk being sued by civil liberty groups if trying to move a camp.
Council voted to accept a report on that state of homelessness.
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