The issue of homelessness is raising its head in Atikokan.
Atikokan’s Housing and Homelessness Committee says it has seen a noticeable rise in recent years.
Chair Tammy Faykas says there is also a lack of adequate supports to help those in need.
“Those experiencing homelessness have limited to no options for temporary relief, often resorting to living in cars, night stay at a local post office, couch surfing, or sleeping outdoors,” says Faykas.
Faykas says some of the homeless in the community are from Toronto, Thunder Bay and other parts of northwestern Ontario.
A lack of affordable housing is also identified as impacting on the rising homelessness numbers.
The committee addressed Atikokan council and forwarded several action measures for them to consider.
- Acknowledge that there is a housing and homelessness crisis in the community of Atikokan.
- Modernize zoning regulations to allow for higher-density housing, including more multi-family homes, single affordable units, modular housing and more affordable senior housing units.
- Explore community partnerships to encourage the conversions of underutilized buildings, example, North Star School.
- Have the Atikokan representative on the DRRSB provide regular updates at every Town Council meeting.
- Support homelessness initiatives within the community.
- Designate and waive the fee for 3 tent sites at Bunnell Park during its open season.
- Support the Atikokan Housing & Homelessness Coalition in establishing a temporary indoor shelter during the colder months or in extreme weather conditions.
- Pursue and advocate both Provincial and Federal Funding for housing and homelessness initiatives.
- Request that the provincial government consider reviewing the housing application process to explore alternative ways to verify income or reduce the reliance on the Notice of Assessment, such as allowing applicants to submit other forms of income documentation like bank statements, or social assistance confirmation.
Atikokan Mayor Rob Ferguson says pressure is being applied to address the issue.
“I pound the table for more housing for Atikokan,” says Ferguson.
“We are looking at some options. The wheels grind very slowly, but hopefully, we will have a facility that the DSAB (District of Rainy River Services Board) may be able to convert, which would be very welcome to the community.”
There are also efforts to establish a warming centre.
Faykas says a lot will depend on the availability of funding and their ability to operate such a facility.
