New website urges residents to ‘Be Part of the Solution’

Cathy Dobson/For The Independent

“We know the status quo is not acceptable…we are confident we can come up with a made-in-Sarnia solution,” says Michael John Kooy.

He is one of the organizers of the forum organized by the Rotary Club. The Dante Club was packed Tuesday with about 350 people interested in solutions to the local homelessness problem and housing crisis.

Many said they attended the public forum out of frustration that so little appears to be happening despite the growing encampment in Rainbow Park and the dire need for affordable housing.

Winter is coming and dozens of homeless people are living in tents throughout the urban area, said Kooy.

One city politician suggested tiny temporary homes may be the answer.  One woman volunteered her idea of putting all the homeless on a decommissioned cruise ship. Another said the homeless should all be in jail or in addiction treatment.

Others demanded to know where provincial and federal funding is to help Sarnia-Lambton.

The $14 million spread over four years from the Ontario government for Lambton to deal with homelessness doesn’t seem like much, said Sarnia resident Jim Curran.

“I’m surprised at how little is being spent,” he said.  “Fourteen million dollars doesn’t go very far when you think about it.”

The forum’s first hour saw a succession of social service providers speak at the podium, explaining the array of programs and services already in place to help the homeless.

Ian Hanney who heads up Lambton County’s homelessness prevention, unveiled a new campaign designed to educate the public about the many programs already out there and invite members of the community to help find solutions.

“Be Part of the Solution” is an attempt to “shift the local conversation on homelessness to one of solutions through learning, understanding and taking action,” Hanney said.

He urged everyone in the community to go to the new website (www.lambtononline.ca/bepartofthesolution) to become better informed, discredit myths, share information and get involved by volunteering or donating.

Seven of the city’s nine council members attended Tuesday’s forum – Terry Burrell and Dave Boushy were absent. Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott was there to listen and MPP Bob Bailey answered a few questions from the crowd.

Graham Schofield was one of several residents who spoke during a Q & A session, asking Bailey to explain where the $12.5 million in provincial funding is to establish a 24-bed withdrawal management facility at Bluewater Health. It was promised in 2022 and the hospital has prepared empty space for construction but no money has been received yet.

“Why’s it taking so long, Bob?” Schofield asked

“The drawings are in the final stages of being approved by the Ministry of Health,” said Bailey.  “I know Bluewater Health is anxious and I hope to have a more fulsome answer by the end of this week.”

Sarnia Councillor Anne Marie Gillis believes part of the solution to removing Rainbow Park’s encampment is building 80-square-foot temporary homes.

Earlier this month, Gillis successfully convinced city council to request a staff report about a tiny home solution as a “bridge” between homelessness and permanent affordable housing.

At the forum, Gillis addressed the crowd saying, “Our city is angry, it’s divided, people are living in tents in our city parks and everyone is overwhelmed and afraid.”

She said alternatives to the shelter system are needed and that’s going to require the community coming together. 

During a Q & A, southend resident Sharon Docherty said she supports construction of tiny homes but doesn’t want them in Sarnia.

“Why is it always dumped on Sarnia?” she said, urging community leaders to consider locating tiny homes in rural Lambton. 

“The best thing is to get (the homeless) out of Sarnia where the drug dealers are,” said Docherty.

The forum was organized by members of the Sarnia Rotary Club and a number of local residents frustrated by how long it is taking to find local solutions to the housing and homeless crisis.

Volunteer organizer John Barnfield said after the two-hour meeting that he felt everyone remained mostly respectful.  Homelessness and what to do about it is a contentious issue that creates a lot of anger and frustration, Barnfield said.

“So this is a proud moment for me,” he said.  “So many people came from so many different sectors of our community with so many different perspectives.”

Barnfield told the crowd he is disappointed that politicians at every level don’t appear to be working together to fix the housing problem and solve the homeless emergency. 

“I look to the city and county to do the right thing and work together in the spirit of collaboration,” he said.  “I challenge you, the leaders, to step up and be leaders with our support.”   Volunteer groups are trying to get new housing projects off the ground but “we also need strong leadership,” said Barnfield.

He promised there will be another public event in the months to come to continue community engagement and search for solutions.