It may not be generally known, but Caledon is not immune from homelessness.

A committee has been struck to look into strategies to deal with the issue.

Looking for a Caledon Homelessness Partnering Strategy

CHPS), the committee held a meeting Monday night at Claude Presbyterian Church on Highway 10, and more sessions are planned, probably in Bolton early in 2011.

Geoff McIlroy, a policy analyst in the human services department at Peel Region, told the gathering the number of low-income individuals in Peel and Caledon points to the need to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing.

Citing 2006 census data, he stated there were almost 16,000 households in Caledon that could be classed as being lowincome. He also stated some 22.4 per cent of households in Caledon have housing affordability issues. He said that means they spend more than 30 per cent of their income on shelter.

McIlroy also said there aren’t many affordable rental options available in Caledon. The statistics he cited indicated the average market rent in Peel in 2007 was $979, and rents in Caledon averaged $845.

As well, McIlroy said young people and people living alone are over-represented in these statistics. In Caledon, about 19 per cent of people in the 20 to 24 age group are spending more than 30 per cent of their income on shelter. In addition, 30.8 per cent of Caledon people in that age group who are renting are having affordability issues.

In terms of housing supply, McIlroy said there are 12,399 social housing units in Peel, and only 343 of them in Caledon, all from Peel Living. There are no non-profit or coop units in town. As for emergency units, he said there are 61 in Caledon, all supportive. There are no shelter or transitional units.

Carmel Hill, co-chair of the committee, said this is a problem that more and more people are becoming aware of.

He added it’s more apparent in the large urban areas, like Toronto, Brampton and Hamilton. “Nobody can miss it,” he remarked.

Signs are being noticed in Caledon, he said, with people having trouble making ends meet, young people having trouble making rent payments, etc. As well, there are mental health and addiction issues.

Hill said they are trying to make the community aware of the problem and its impact.

Committee member Brenda Elias agreed making the community aware is a big part of their effort. She also said the problem is spread throughout Caledon.

Elias pointed out this is not a developing country. Caledon is one of the wealthiest places in Canada. But there are people here who might be just a pay cheque away from loosing the roof over their heads.

Caledon Community Services (CCS) is involved in the effort. However, Michelle Stubbs, manager of volunteerism and community relations, stressed this is not a CCS project, but rather project of engagement to address the issue.

CCS Executive Director Monty Laskin told the meeting they decided to get involved because “a community like Caledon shouldn’t have homelessness.”

He also said the agency received a $50,000 federal grant, and they are working on funding proposals from other levels of government.

The meeting included the showing of segments of a documentary on the impacts of homelessness on families. One man observed it offered no solutions to the problems, just “a few band-aids.”

Another recalled growing up during the Depression in a very poor family.

“I know the futility,” he commented, but added in those days there was a lot more support from the community and churches. “They don’t have that support.”

Another observed in the Depression people felt more like they were all in it together. Homeless people today feel more alone, and there’s a greater sense of shame.

Many of the villages and hamlets in Caledon have community associations, and there were observations at the meeting that many of them are opening their eyes to the problem.

Father Larry Leger of the Holy Family Parish in Bolton, told the meeting they weren’t looking for readymade solutions, but rather for ways to get the community involved in addressing the problem. He added the next step will be to hold another session, either in January or early February, likely in Bolton.