Poverty Awareness in York Region

Homelessness in York Region should be no surprise.

As the local newspapers focus headlines throughout the winter through feel-good pieces aimed at propping up our social network assist vehicles - instead of dissecting what we could be doing better - it seems in keeping with York Region politicians.

It's no secret that Y.R. has had not only a shortage of government assisted housing units for those in need for many years, as highlighted in the 21010 York Region Social Audit Behind The Masks which was presented to Council in deposition, and which they supported in principle and then used / sent to the Ontario government towards helping them formulate a plan to coordinate funding and services for this area but it has also had one of the lowest owned units-to rental units ratios in the entire country, as well availability rates - also country-wide close to worst. So it's no secret. See the Social Audit Video.

In the download of $ and services to the municipalities from the Ontario government, the Region took away certain safe-guard initiatives designed (that are / were part of The ACT) to help individuals in need avoid becoming homeless and those just out of prison or institutions. It was called the Start Up Fund used to help residents avoid eviction or 1st and last to obtain a place to live and could be applied for no more than once every three years. It's no longer available through the municipalities take over, and its replacement deemed unattainable by former user types, so those same people now are more likely to go homeless. At the time when the download of services was still in proposal mode, I specifically mentioned this safety net program to Y.R. Councillor John Taylor who assured me all would be kept. It wasn't. Notice a crime spike of late? It's no coincidence.

Not going to say I told you so. But I did.

Instead, the Region seems to think putting everything into shelters has been the answer - spending more than 10 years focusing all available funding - over $10,000,000 - towards building one women's shelter, Belinda's Place, as well as some assisted temporary housing for the same single women only category. Problem is / was, most of Y.R.'s homeless are men, a fact I have long crowed, but now have tangible proof of, from the just released stats collected by United Way Toronto / York Region..

This week's Era Banner headlines scream out Shelter use up 50%...crisis levels..blah,blah,blah but are they not aware the one and only full time men's shelter Leeder Place - is full 100% of the time? That's not a story? Only in winter I guess when its sexy to write about it and INNs from The Cold gets their overflow. Thank goodness for them at least.

Cold Warning in effect

Yesterday, I came across a struggling guy, one who fights addiction issues but one who also works and works hard. I know, because I worked several jobs on which he was hired to assist, and in seeing his willingness to do a great job, I've since assisted him into something more regular, including the last one he's held for 6 months now. But they just don't have the hours for him come January and there he was, last night, out in the bitter cold begging for money.

Knowing I have a video taping upcoming this month for which I've budgeted in a P.A. I gave him $20 advance and told him I'd be in touch about the exact date. "But no more tonight eh? Go home." I said. He thanked me and did just that. He and his girlfriend struggle to keep a roof over their head. They could also benefit from nonexistent rehab programs to assist towards living a "normal" life.

YOURK news covered MPP's start-up

Ironically I 've been trying to find an operator group for a housing or rehab complex of 18 self- contained, up-to-code units, yet no incentives enough seem to exist to entice operators to run anything. So why can't YR controlled funds go here?

A longtime trailer dweller asked me,

" What are they doing with the $16 million dollars the federal government gave to assist with these issues?"

Good question.

Markham Community Centre

Forest, right here, long time homeless camp

So where IS all this new money going in assisting those in need and those who want to live outside the dangerous and undignified shelter system? I don't know, but it's not getting to those most in need and this to me seems an abuse of process.

Hey, I gave you resources!

The recent York Region Media articles have headlined cherry-picked themes taken from a report by United Way Toronto/Y.R., like the obvious such as aboriginals having a higher than average ratio - as it is in the rest of the country - and they've headlined children, family and youth poverty, but they've actually left out the most staggering headline stat of all that a full 100% of the homeless they found with no attachments to any shelter of any kind in York Region were male. 100%. They further found that 70% of all shelter dwellers were male.

Now I'm not going to come out and say that our social safety-net system seems sexist but...well actually I am, and it is. We have no shelters for males to escape abuse even though stats show spousal abuse is about 50-50, yet we have a number of shelters for women in this regard, in addition to the family shelter and single women's shelter and transitional temporary housing. There is no temporary housing for any single men. Men are last on lists for Y.R. housing too since abuse victims and families - often single moms - also rate ahead of them, regardless of the fact there are extremely few single assisted housing units to begin with in York Region, so vulnerable men often have little chance to get housed, and these men will statistically die much younger than the average person - often by two decades.

So that is what WE are supporting with our current system. We're sentencing men to an early death.

The social audit was clear back in 2010 that the lack of housing was already critical and that men were not only lacking in programs and housing but in how they were being treated and that has still had no change.

We need more male social workers according to some men mired in the system.

"Women don't understand what a mans goes through", said one 

"They hire women right out of battered women's shelters and they don't treat us good."

Former Shelter Dweller, now deceased. See his and other video testimonials here.

I've written in the past of several men who have died while living on the streets or couches in YR after years in the shelter system and yet not a word from the local media. Shame on them, but shame on us for doing nothing while men die. That would soon include our now area Housing Minister Chris Ballard who did not invite myself nor P.A.C.C, Y.R.'s voice for poverty, to participate in any reforms nor for consulting, since his quick promotion from regular M.P.P.. 

" House of Hope" sits empty begging for use.

I'll give the provincials this much, they have the "cahoonahs" to study a fixed basic minimum income model  and as I see it, this type of system may help stop those who often fall through the cracks to better survive in cold Canada. I guess we'll see.

Tom Pearson

In 2014, it was reported a man had been found dead at the Go parking lot in Newmarket, Ontario. What wasn't reported, was that he had no money, no place to go, and that he had been seen there that night for hours out in the cold by the cabbies that sit at the Go station and by patrolling police officers. Ultimately, he still died... He might have been able to prolong his life if he didn't fear prosecution by jumping on a bus as is often  done by those men who are turned out into the cold when no beds are available at the shelters or he has no means to get to one. 
In 2013, I attended the funeral of yet another Newmarket man whose life consisted of a revolving shelter door. He was only 56. Men like him, who for whatever reason are not able to attain a stable roof over their heads and all the accolades that go along with that - like a healthy lifestyle and diet - usually live shorter lives. These men stay in the shelters for the maximum allotted time of 6 weeks and then couch surf  or live on the streets until such time as they can return again. Whilst staying in the shelters, they are of course expelled during the day first thing in the morning and not allowed back in until the evening. This type of lifestyle takes its toll, especially as one gets older. Statistics prove those living under these conditions live considerably shorter lives. Our current safety net system supports this

This man lived in York Region forests with his son...in winter!

I attended a housing consultation workshop in York Region ( hosted by the Region), and although a number of organizations were there  claimed to want to make a difference, I couldn't help but notice how many exist because of marginalized people, and wondered if they all had their motives in the right places?

At the funeral, the presiding Chaplain asked if anyone would like to say anything and a number of people from a local shelter got up and spoke nicely of him. But he didn't go to those places because he wanted to - he hated shelters and community meals - he went because he had to, as he had no choice, because we leave guys like him - guys unable to quite do everything it takes to survive on their own - especially with the minimal income they're expected to try and pull their bootstraps up on, against the backdrop of average rental costs here, to fend for themselves. No " York Region's best kept Secret" Men's Centres here. Subsequently, men like him have to attend these often dangerous shelters, but, make no mistake, they'd rather not.

When I spoke of this man who died far too young, from the pulpit, it was in genuine glowing memory of how he'd look forward to volunteering for our road hockey tourney every year as it was held right near his turf - Main St - where he could be found most any day perched in a doorway watching "his" street and where we literally played the tourney one year - right on Main St. Afterwards, the Salvation Army Chaplain noted aloud how it was nice to hear how these organizations allowed him to volunteer with them, but the reality is he only volunteered for our event. That was the one he chose. In fact most other organizations wouldn't allow him to volunteer as he didn't "qualify", but they sure don't mind asking for testimonials from to solicit sympathy funds for their "causes".
      Video - All these organizations, yet still men die homeless here with no plan to change

Some of the "do-gooders" attending, most of whose organizations don't seem to respond to requests to participate in the annual Oct 17  International Day for the Eradication of Poverty event,  which is a day sanctioned by the U.N. as THE day to speak out against poverty, should be ashamed to call themselves part of the solution.

Part of the solution, is allowing people to have the tools and where-with-all to survive without charitable supports where possible, and with real dignity, and speaking up for their right to do so. The do-gooders want to do good? Come out Oct 17 to Riverwalk Commons and speak up about the lack of affordable housing for these men, programs lack, and income supports, but they're all too busy blindly hosting fundraisers for shelters and giving to food banks to notice men are really dying out there. Slowly and quickly both.

Charity / Nonprofit organizations are mandated to devote 10% of their budgets to social justice advocacy so we would expect to see them all on the only day designed specifically for that reason - Oct 17

Golden Gloves boxer John Fletcher died living here behind a Tim Hortons

I wrote about another long-time street person dying in 2012 here - a former golden glove boxer no less - and not one word written in the media. The year before, an elderly homeless man died of exposure in an abandoned trailer off Davis Drive, this relayed to me by a homeless man who had been drinking with him that night. Again, not one word written.

I certainly have nothing against EMERGENCY shelters when needed, but, sorry, I don't hear about our women dying on our streets, yet you wouldn't know it for all the kerfuffle about the "need' for another women's shelter. Shelters are not homes, and Y.R., with the among lowest rentals / owned housing ratios in the country, needs more permanent housing. We have 7 existing shelters already and of the 7, 6 already accept women in various categories. When the family shelter opened, the other women's shelter use  numbers actually dropped, yet we are still building women another one for $10 Million dollars just in build costs.

But Where will they go afterward?

Where will these women, who will have to come here from across Ontario to fill it, go afterwards?


I've said it before and I'll say it again - and all the stats and reports back me - what York Region needs is more affordable housing - particularly for singles - and especially for its homeless men.
PACCman

Stone Soup Live!

I looked forward to International Day for the Eradication of Poverty this year. Although it's a day when you might hear tales of personal woe and misery, it has also been, for the past few years, an event for providing inspiration and not just free stuff - although the free pumpkins offered this year went a long way. It has also become a day to express messages through music and the arts.

I got the text somewhere in the aft of the day of, that the pumpkins had arrived and where did I want them? The 2 pm call caught me in between locations, having already been at Riverwalk
Commons Lions Hall earlier dropping off a first load of equipment and supplies for the outdoor event. Luckily for me, the town staffer I interrupted while eating his lunch, agreed to allow us a small area to store it as we retreated to get more, including the sound equipment. Typically, this day is very hectic but this year, with everything in place early, and enough low budget promotion to attract some people and voices and talent, I was pretty sure we were in for a good one.

The first inkling of what was to come, came hours before the event's official start as I waited for the sound man and volunteers to arrive noticing various people wandering by the dozens of pumpkins adorning the stage, wondering what they were for? I'd then moved our sign over, as well as info about the event, as a focal point, within view of passersby facing Timothy Street, and explained the Int Day to others who'd inquire while offering a pumpkin should they want one.

One couple who'd wandered by by chance were thankful, but, ironically, homeless, and thus had nowhere to put a pumpkin. They were invited back for the after 7pm start too.

When asked, I'd been telling people the pumpkins were free but that we'd accept a donation if they were able. One man who looked as if he'd seen a few shelters in his day, and now lived nearby, approached, asking about them and looking sheepish upon my explanation, having approached, likely, after overhearing me say they were free. Sensing his hesitation I interjected, " Go ahead, take one ".... "Seriously?", he said. " Go for it. That's what they are for!" I replied. I then took the opportunity to tell him about the event. That is was a day to hear voices speaking out about poverty, and that the night would end with some great entertainment with an open stage should he know anyone who sang or played guitar. He returned later to take part, dancing and even singing some Elvis onstage with me. He felt welcome and a part of the community methinks.That was what it was about too. Inclusion.

Formerly Homeless poet meets anti-homelessness advocate

The pumpkins themselves arrived because of the need to want to help. Annette Brown a long time PACC supporter and community development worker and volunteer passed away and her last passion was making sure kids had pumpkins. She'd noticed while living and working communities in Newmarket and Georgina, that some kids / families, without cars especially, as transit was not as great, would go without pumpkins at Halloween so they'd arrange it so they did and also coordinate neighbourhood pumpkin carving parties. In mentioning this to Newmarket Food Pantry Director, Joe Sponga I had no idea he's arrange a crate load for distribution but every one went!

Mike Thornhill Youth Award Winner Jason Baulch

PACC Vice-Chair Dan Philion finds some warmth

The event featured some powerful testimonials, such as the poems read aloud by book of poetry Author David L Rogers whose poems from his book, "The Dark Road", reflect real life experiences, and act as therapy to those with addictions and suffer depression... and from displaced Farmer and former Markham mayoral candidate, Sam Orrico who's story may finally be seeing some light due to the attention we've been able to draw to his dilemma - as he's once again being moved without means. JAZZled youth COO Wendy  Marais spoke about youth scholarship and sponsorship opportunities as well, and we handed out the Mike Thornhill Youth Leader Award to 2014 winner Jason Baulch, Author Ivan Prokupchuk spoke from a seniors perspective while JustFlow's Justin Harris felt inspired to speak from a personal youth viewpoint. I touched on a few disability issues on behalf of PACC Vice Chair Danny Philion also attending in the crowd but not comfortable speaking on stage - Did I mention we had no ramp? Gulp - raising the issue about those in wheelchairs now being able to go out past 10 pm - in part due to our lobbying - was a point I wanted to make, and so did, as it's important to let people know about the wins we have in order to offer some kind of hope that through communication and inclusion we can create better systems that treat people more fairly, and with more dignity. Meantime Dan has $117 dollars left mid month to get him through including needing groceries.

Mixed Bag

Regional Councilor John Taylor likely squirmed a bit as I broached the wheel trans subject and then dwelled on the transit strike which affected Dan's community for 4 months through Xmas and let the town's Deputy Mayor know that was not forgotten. But added also that he was but one person and council vote and not solely accountable for the strike's handling. I also expressed disappointment in the lack of media around various poverty issues, but particularly during the transit strike, feeling the dilemma people were facing was not covered with much sense of urgency, or the devastation it caused some. And I would have said more, but wanted to try and get focus on some positive ideas and thoughts for 2014, like Walk & Roll, a march of sorts in the works for spring 2015 to draw attention to poverty issues in York Region.

Intense performance

The part I look forward to more and more each year for the The International Day is the addition of more music and arts, and this year in particular, with a focus on youth and the addition of hip hop slotted to end the night off with. It is just a great fit to the theme and encourages rappers and spoken word artists and hip hoppers to express themselves in what is already a natural forum for them to speak out in - already in theme even!

Passion from JustFlow

Maurice Weeks AJ Music

With hip hop roots coming from poverty it seemed a natural fit, and these young talented vocalists, including from walk-ons who happened by and had heard ' the scene", as well as from the Just Flow and Arthur Jr Music Family crews really gave it their all. These guys -  and GAL! - with female MC, Newmarket, now by way of Aurora's own Dean Wild of Stay Blessed Productions, were way passionate and also appreciative of being a part of such an important event, and, I got the sense anyway, of being included by the town if you will too. There's that word again - Inclusion.

And some of these performers represent the very faces of poverty in York Region, or the voices or hearts, and they may not be what a stereotypical face of poverty would be considered to be - but they are most certainly representative. Local Music Producer and Performer Maurice Weeks from AJM is one example of a local phenom talent as well as JustFlow who develop young talent as well. Their song Politics was a perfect fit for the show!


I was really impressed and some performances brought to mind words of wisdom from another event I'd worked a judging panel on with Canadian Idol's Farley Flex. At the end of that event, Flex had taken time to talk with the contest performers and flat out told some of them they sounded like American rappers

" But you're not even American. Be yourself. Tell your own story. It's those that stand out from the rest who will make it, not those who sound like everyone else."

Farley Flex, former Canadian Idol Judge

Spence

Jackie Playter plays middle person

Great advice. And these youths showed more class than some of our politicians who I take it were mostly too busy to attend, with only Councilors Taylor, Sponga and Tom Veigh showing up. I guess they are taking their cue from the mayor who hasn't seen fit to show up in several years, opting for a Photo op at car dealership instead in 2013 and who knows in 2014. In Mayor Tony Van Bynen's defense, he used to come out, until I got very critical one year, sort of ambushing him with negative comments about how the region / town was doing on the issue. Perhaps a less abrasive approach would be more affective to get him to the table in earnest, and, to that end, look to the future for just that - or with a new mayor - whichever plays out.

Jeanine with Wendy Marais from Jazzled.

Council hopefuls also showed they cared enough about all our residents by braving the cool air including Newmarket mayor candidates, always supportive " Elvis" Dorian Baxter, as well as Chris Campbell, School Trustee and anti-bullying advocate candidate, Bessie Vlasic, Council hopefuls Doug Crosse as well as Wasim Jarrah who seems to have a community conscience, and Regional Councilor hopeful, Darryl Wolk who has pledged support on the issue for some years, as well. Ward 2 Newmarket council candidate Bill Kukulewich was granted an opportunity to speak into the open stage mic as his platform impressively includes a 7 point plan to eliminate homelessness, even offering to put up his salary to offset some of its cost if elected!

Die hard supporters Mary & Linda

In between, people got a chance to chat and it was great to have so many come up and say " We've met on face book but not live" and "maybe our politics aren't so far apart", or " I really appreciate what you're doing" etc..It was great to also see many of the town's leading residents attending, such as Jackie Playter who volunteers relentlessly and sits on a number of boards, as well as supportive business owners such as Olga and Glenn from CanadaT.com on Main St. who want to sponsors shirts now for next year, having now caught the meaning and spirit of this great event through attending.

Does Councilor Taylor ever take a bad picture!?

You see, when you get off the computers and go meet people in person, wonderful things can happen. Common ground is not that hard to see if inclusive in our decision making towards this - and any issue (and in our boardrooms) - you allow yourselves to look for it. If we are, we will make much more real headway. If only in small incremental ways to start, that is fine, so long as we move forward in unison as best we can toward a common goal. Speaking of computers and common goals, the event's volunteer school youths also saved the day with their knowledge of technology to access our back beat sounds, while getting valuable experience and meeting some industry people. Just a great event and day overall in so many ways.


The biggest scandal to rock this year's show was during a youthful performance towards the end when the enthusiastic performer decided to smash a few pumpkins, agreeing mid-rap to clean it up afterward which they did! In my day we'd have stuck it to the man! Ha. Respect. Another Word of The Day.

The only regrets for 2014 I have, are not spending more time having and nurturing conversations between hosting duties and making intros,  

"I never got to meet that politician wanting to end homelessness...I'm homeless!" Farmer Sam, 

Food bank Director and Councilor Joe Sponga with Yappers

and the lack of representatives from most local charities, churches, and non profits, especially after they have been pushing for more " collaboration" and "sustainable systems', yet stayed away from a forum allowing face to face interaction with "clients" within a productive environment, and resist having grass roots committee members. And we sure could have used someone organizing / dishing out some free hot food like in years past too. We do thank Deli House Catering for use of their hot chocolate dispenser though!

The Yappers rock the stage @Riverwalk Commons

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was actually the first official event ever at Riverwalk Commons aside from the grand opening in 2011. Next year, Oct 17 happens on a Saturday and we shall endeavour to make it the best ever, with more elements and performances, and maybe expand the arts part of it even more with the Newmarket Arts Festival seemingly running during the same time frame in the same area of town.

Dean Wild, left, breaks from the stage with her dog

Who knows!? Maybe we'll get an inclusive town council that will come out and shout to the world how proud they are of this event too and show it the respect it deserves like they do the Newmarket Jazz + Festival...Hey! We can use the photo op! Our entire budget was $500. What was theirs?  And, after all, there should be no doubt as to which date is more important in the world.

More event photos here courtesy of Glenn Rodger Events Photography. Show elements provided by TPE Productions.

The @PACCMan Report

Chris Campbell and Wasim Jarrah

Tom Vegh, Councilor and Habitat for Humanity York Region

Doug Crosse with Bessie Vlasic...Who knew he was funny?

The help!

Local Home Boy

Poverty makes for strange bed fellows..Thank-you very Much!

And an End Of Night Good Time had by all!

Ontarians forced into an election made their choices recently handing a majority government over the the Liberals despite scandal connected to the former Premier and his dealings. The other parties gambled that striking while the irons were hot on the issue would result in victory. They were wrong.

Firstly, the NDP leader who pushed for it, Andrea Horvath, miscalculated how Ontarians felt and would vote. She should have remained patient, allowed people to get to know her a little more (likely swayed by leadership polls) and allowed the Liberal leader to possibly self destruct herself or start creating her own legacy of public funding screw ups and they might have stood some chance to at least make gains. The Conservatives pretty much sealed their fate by backing the unpopular Hudak. Very poor decisions with much predictable outcomes.

So now there are some new faces in the Ontario parliament, and locally, after a Councilor showed her true colours, even 1st timers such as Newmarket / Aurora MPP Chris Ballard, who admitted to me before the election when I met with him he hadn't much on hands knowledge of the nuances of poverty issues but was interested to engage more about them - like about the P.A.C.C. organized York Region social audit report " Behind The Masks". At least he was truthful, and that's a plus in my books.

His extent of 'experience" in this area was knowing of an after-school care held in a co-op funded by the United Way and that men had lived under a bridge in Aurora last year. Hey, it's a starting point! And that's better already than the last guy, Frank Klees, who offered nothing at the "Square-tables on Poverty" we organized, and once said to me,

" Tom you and I can sit here all day and we're not going to agree"

Construction / development a local election issue

...It was his way or the highway and for that reason - and the fact that millionairess Belinda Stronach then M.P. for the area kept sending assistants to the talks instead of attending in person - it didn't last. She had also walked across the parliament floor during this time to the Liberals from the Conservatives, and in reflection, it seems about that time Klees stopped " cooperating". His idea of a 'solution:" was give everyone a job". Soon after the "Squaretable" died.

In one respect it is scary having a person in parliament representing us with little experience, but on the other hand, they perhaps can have more of an open mind about solutions and action and be willing to work "collaboratively', a buzz term used a lot but not practiced much. My experience with collaboration is they steal your ideas and then apply for the funds without you. Ha. Eloquent speeches make for good sound bites, but a gutsy, ethical representative is what I seek - and someone not afraid to like a good idea from anyone and share them in it's delivery.

Belinda's Place - Hurry before winter so women don't freeze!

Ballard's first action in parliament as I understand was to put forward a motion to have the York Region Chairman's position voted in - something I advocated for during the 5 months long transit strike - Canada's 2nd longest in history - where Chair Bill Fisch basically did nothing alongside Council, while people lost jobs, missed doctors appointments, school, surgeries, and went hungry.

Some still have not recovered, especially seniors who had jobs, now let go, as well as some young people who never got back on track for school. The Regional Councilors and Mayors of course are also to blame and should be punished at the ballot boxes for the fiasco, as well for wasting millions of dollars on a 7th Y.R. women's shelter while men die on the streets. 

YRMG won an award for our story but no changes for men.

Now they they giving him Character and man of the year awards.

Newmarket Mayor, Tony Van Bynen, for example used this issue - The false fact we have no women's shelters in Y.R. - to get reelected and used it for photo ops and sound bites at every turn - and still does. Backers conveniently added the word "single " after criticism. The reality is we have 7 shelters already dedicated to or shared with women - which stats actually indicate lower use in them as of 2012-13 and two winter ones as well that accept single women.

Tom speaks about homeless men / programs with CBC

It's also been commonly known for years, that women really needing a place in YR simply say they have been abuse victims and get shelter - not turned away - so no one was on the street where possible is the bottom line, and with the addition of a family shelter  now, we quite easily could simply have converted an existing shelter into one for "singles' over age 26 ( we have for under), but no, they had to build another, at now $9 million dollars and counting mausoleum - and bearing the name of the woman who was too busy to attend the Square Tables on Poverty and who not once showed up for Oct 17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty events here - but somehow her name adorns this now to be Salvation Army run club.


S.A. may be "a Stalwart" in their world, but not in the world of the homeless according to the social audit that obviously wasn't used in making this decision - which often happens when boards are vacant of any grass roots input. Much simpler to have someone else run it now but keep the false perceptions of actual involvement up with her name etched on it. I say if she wants a legacy, pay for it, as she can certainly afford it. Why take the few funds available to Y.R.?

This quote is taken directly off the website for Belinda's Place; 


"Currently, there are NO beds allocated to homeless women in York Region." 


Which just emphasizes to me how this whole thing has been sold to the public.
7 of these 8 existing Y.R. shelters have beds for women.

Fairy Lake Park Newmarket

There are limited funds for housing and shelters, so it is vital any dollars available be directed to those most in need, and so when our social audit indicates we have mostly men living (and dying) in the streets but the politicians / media are able to instead convince people, without any concrete evidence other than skewed facts otherwise, such as the one they trotted out recently in the Era Banner by someone representing a shelter stating that 3,000 women sought shelters last year here. That's a lie. They are not persons, but CALLS, and if they call the wrong shelter or call back or are told to call somewhere else or to call back later to speak with another - as long as it doesn't result in a placement on any call - each  are counted as different 'people" not receiving shelter. So if someone calls 4 times before getting the the right person or department they are counted as 4 people. The same person can also return dozens of times a year but is counted as separate people. So that stat is a lie too.

Real "Hidden Homeless"

I wonder what that stat would be for the men - but they don't publish that in the Era Banner do they? Perhaps that's why Deborah Kelly who presented the "hidden homeless stats" etc to council, used when they were looking for funds and approval for "Belinda's Place", and who did not print any of our Letters to the Editor against the shelter idea, has been quietly let go from the newspaper as Editor in Chief. I hope so, as you'd think the only grass roots group representing those in poverty would get a voice - descending or not to an Editor's personal aspirations or feelings. Good luck to you!

What isn't a lie is that York Region has only 26 full time beds dedicated to men, with more than 4 times that number ALREADY available to women, yet men make up more than 90% of our street homeless...

TOM out.