Some are encouraged, others say numbers are ‘laughable‘

Cathy Dobson/The Independent

Lambton County’s manager of homelessness prevention says fewer than 20 people currently live rough in Sarnia-Lambton, a remarkable decrease from the many dozens living on the street last year.

And in the past six months, social services have helped more than 100 homeless find housing, says Ian Hanney, manager of Lambton County’s homelessness prevention and social planning social services.

While some are encouraged, other outreach workers are calling that “laughable.”

Myles Vanni, executive director at the Inn of the Good Shepherd, says the city’s shelters are busier than usual and fewer food bags are being picked up by those experiencing homelessness, suggesting that fewer are in fact living rough.  And reduced numbers of international students attending Lambton College are leaving which means more apartment vacancies at lower rates.

“So there may be some good news there,” Vanni said.  “I find it really encouraging that fewer are on the streets and more are in shelters and couch surfing. It’s a huge move forward.”

But at least one outreach volunteer who regularly assists those experiencing homelessness says the county’s numbers are not accurate because many living in tents are not counted.

They are trying to stay “invisible” by camping out in hidden areas of the city and moving frequently, says Margaret Capes of the Community Law School Outreach Group.

She called the county’s numbers “laughable” and said she is frustrated that new withdrawal management beds and new affordable and supportive housing units haven’t opened as promised.

In an email to The Independent, Hanney said the county’s efforts have seen a dramatic drop in the number on the “By Name List.”  The list indicates in real time how many Sarnia-Lambton residents are experiencing homelessness, and includes people in shelters, those temporarily crashing with friends and family, or living completely unsheltered.  Until recently, the list had about 330 names.

In May, that number dipped by more than 50 to 274. 

Local social services are achieving “rare and meaningful positive outcomes for clients,” wrote Hanney in explaining the significant decrease. Specifically, he said what’s working are the county’s “intensive housing programming” and assistance offered to the homeless and precariously housed at the Housing and Homelessness Resource Centre on Exmouth Street.

But Capes isn’t buying it. She estimates that at least 40 people are still living rough. More will leave the shelter system and sleep on private property once better weather arrives, she predicted.

“I know Lambton County staff work hard,” Capes said.  “But our group has been doing outreach for the last three years, regularly meeting people who are tenting, and they are still out there.”

Many don’t divulge where they camp because they are afraid their belongings will be removed by the authorities, she said.

Chrissy McRoberts is both a city and a county councillor familiar with the area’s homeless population.  She said Hanney’s new numbers “seem unbelievable.”

“If there are only 20 people out there now, where have all the rest gone?  These numbers don’t match up with what I’m hearing from my sources,” McRoberts said.

Sarnia-Lambton’s affordable housing crisis has not let up, she added.  “There are no new apartments.  I call around to try to find places for (homeless) people I meet and there’s nothing for less than $950 a month plus utilities.  Social assistance is paying them $700 a month.  So there is nowhere that’s affordable.”

McRoberts said she personally sees “way more than 20” homeless when she attends local cafes and drop-in centres for the city’s most vulnerable residents.

“They are still in our community. They’ve just shifted to other locations (since the Rainbow Park encampment shut down this winter),” she said.  “Now they are spread throughout the city.”

Earlier this month, McRoberts asked county council to make both affordable and supportive housing Lambton’s number one priority.  Affordable housing was already declared a top priority in 2023 but McRoberts wanted supportive housing to be added so those suffering from mental health and addiction problems can have professional assistance to keep them housed.

Fifteen of 17 county councillors supported her motion, with only Sarnia Councillor  Bill Dennis and Oil Springs Mayor Ian Veen against.

“If we don’t put these folks into supportive housing, we can never expect (the problem) to be anything but growing,” said McRoberts.