1. Tillsonburg Council Meeting
Tillsonburg Emergency Accommodation Management (TEAM)
Funded by Oxford County
Study done by Tim Welch Consulting Inc.
Monday June 28, 2010

2. BACKGROUND Background
TEAM – informal network of Tillsonburg community groups involved in
Homelessness/support issues
Undertaking study to look at need for emergency accommodation for
homeless persons
Surveyed existing community services for homeless persons
Surveyed other similar sized municipalities on their approaches to
homelessness
Surveyed individuals at Foodbank/Upper Deck/St. Vincent DePaul
Important dates
Study began in February 2010
Interviews conducted between March – May
Community Forum on May 13
First draft of study submitted June 4
Presentation to Tillsonburg Council June 28

3. Definition of Homelessness
HOMELESSNESS MEANS FAMILIES OR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE:
Definition of Homelessness
Couch surfing
Relying on Salvation Army for motel rooms
Lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night time residence
Primary night time residence is: supervised publicly or privately operated
shelter
Sleeping in public/private places not designed for sleeping human beings

4. Living Costs & Affordable Housing
One-bedroom market-rent unit in the Town of Tillsonburg: $603
(this means a single person needs to work full time at $14.50 per hour to afford this rent)
Cost of food for a month, single person: $204
There are 327 affordable units in Town maintained by Oxford County, the
Tillsonburg Non-Profit Housing Corporation, and a Co-op.
Almost half of the above units are seniors affordable housing, 22% are for
families and 37% are for non-senior singles
38 active households on wait list for housing in the Town of Tillsonburg
Average wait time for affordable housing ranges from 6-10 months
There are 2 boarding houses in Town
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE TOWN OF TILLSONBURG

5. INCOME AND RENT
Income & Rent

6. 3 DIFFERENT SURVEYS FOR 3 GROUPS
COMMUNITY GROUPS
Salvation Army
OPP
Upper Deck
United Way
Multi-Service Centre
OTHER MUNICIPALITIES
Brantford
Leamington
Grimsby
Port Colborne
Dunnville
RESIDENTS
Helping Hand Food Bank
SSVP
Upper Deck Youth Centre
Survey Monkey
Phone Call
RECEIVED 19
RECEIVED 7
RECEIVED 56
RECEIVED 82 SURVEYS IN TOTAL

7. Motel Accommodation Requests at Salvation Army
Survey Results
92 motel requests in total
73 men, 19 women between years of age
60% are years of age
Source: Tillsonburg Salvation Army,

8. Obtained by Youth Employment Services at Multi-Service Centre
Survey Results
47 clients were received between
21% were female
89% were 30 years of age or younger
Source: Multi-Service Centre,

9. SURVEY CONCLUSIONS Survey Conclusions
Most surveys were received from low income not homeless individuals
Of the 82 surveys, 3 were completed by individuals who recognized they
were homeless (2 homeless youth, 1 homeless male)
We estimate approximately homeless and at-risk youth and even
more homeless and at-risk adults
Strong representation of residents relying on social assistance, especially
ODSP
Survey respondents believed that a combination of a lack of jobs, layoffs
and abuse contribute to homelessness
Recurring concerns for: transportation, addictions counselling and
treatment, public education and awareness regarding local homelessness,
and an improved linking of accessible services

10. HOUSING ADVOCACY AND FUNDING
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations
YOUTH
Provide counselling, family therapy, mediation, support services for parents and youth
Develop community carpool programs for families, neighbours and friends.
ADDICTIONS
Introduce an addictions facility and extend services of Addictions Services of Thames Valley
Increase number of supportive housing units for residents with mental health and addictions concerns
HOUSING ADVOCACY AND FUNDING
That the Town of Tillsonburg request the County and the Province provide a modest housing allowance to prevent potential homelessness.
Recommend the County introduce more RGI Housing

11. EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPORTS
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations
EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPORTS
Exploration of best practice emergency accommodation options (extended stays at motels, renovation funding, partnership with landlord)
Shelter Allowance “pay directs” to landlords
AWARENESS
That an awareness campaign be launched to raise the profile of poverty and homeless issues in the Town.
LEAD AGENCY
That one agency be designated as the lead for homeless programs in Tillsonburg

12. Dave Morris TEAM Chair E-mail: DMorris@tillsonburg.ca
TO CONTACT TWC
TO CONTACT TEAM
Contact
Tim, Deb or Vanessa President and Consultants 24 Queen’s Square, Unit 108 Cambridge, Ontario N1S 3S6 Phone: (519)
Dave Morris TEAM Chair

13. Questions?

14. THANK YOU