Project seeks to understand homelessness in Leamington

LEAMINGTON – A collaborative of organizations that include service agencies, the faith community, the Municipality of Leamington and local businesses have been meeting for over a year to discuss solutions to issues of housing insecurity and homelessness in Leamington.

The key goal of the Leamington Homelessness Project is to better understand these issues, gather data and make recommendations for a ‘made in Leamington’ solution.

The Leamington Homelessness Project, which is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, enlists the expertise of key partners including the Leamington Ministerial, Rotary Club of Leamington, Family Services Windsor-Essex, Housing Information Services, The Bridge Youth Resource Centre and South Essex Community Council (SECC). These organizations take on an advisory role to assist SECC in achieving the goals of the project.

This community collaborative is organizing a surveying initiative for individuals who are experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness to share their perspectives and experiences. The count will take place from Monday, June 14, 2021 to Friday, June 18, 2021, and surveys will be conducted at organizations in the community during their hours of service, including but not limited to SECC, St. John’s Anglican Church and The Bridge.

When we think of a ‘made in Leamington’ solution and possible future grants and funding opportunities to support a sustainable housing solution, the one key ingredient that is missing is reliable local data.

“In order to best serve unhoused folks and those at risk of homelessness, we need a stronger understanding of the data in our area. That’s why we’ve organized this count, and that’s why it’s so important for the community to help us,” explained Alissa Enns, Project Leader for the Leamington Homelessness Project. “We’ll be putting together a report with recommendations for housing and homelessness solutions in Leamington, and it is critically important that the voices of those with lived experience are centered within and inform this final report.”

This count presents a unique opportunity for those who are housing insecure or homeless in Leamington.

According to Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald, “Not only does this homelessness surveying initiative provide a way of being counted, but it allows those who are experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness to connect with services.

While connecting with community organizations, individuals will have the opportunity to contribute to survey results that will impact the development of a made in Leamington solution to homelessness.”

Carolyn Warkentin, Executive Director at SECC, emphasized that, “The issues of housing instability and homelessness don’t just affect the people who are directly involved in those situations, they affect the entire community. That’s why it’s important for everyone to be as involved as possible – if you know someone who is struggling, please encourage them to come to one of the survey locations to share their story.”

In addition to data collection efforts, one of the key objectives of the Leamington Homelessness Project is to raise community awareness around these issues. In lieu of a large community forum, the committee has put together a virtual presentation on local homelessness and housing insecurity to present to community groups.

If you are interested in learning more, reach out to Alissa Enns at South Essex Community Council to schedule a presentation with your group.