Candidates on Homelessness
Candidate Responses Appear in the Order They Were ReceivedTamara Sargent
I believe Owen Sound needs to take a practical approach to housing insecurity and homelessness that recognizes both the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness and the broader affordability pressures that can put people at risk of losing their housing in the first place.
As a councillor, I would work to make life more affordable for Owen Sound residents and, in doing so, reduce some of the pressures contributing to housing insecurity.
That means pursuing practical improvements to the services residents rely on every day. I would work to expand transit service so that buses run later into the evening, rather than stopping at 6 p.m. when many people are still working. I would work to expand Library hours so that the Library is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. And I would support providing two free garbage bags per household on each collection day, helping residents manage one of the basic costs of living in our community.
These measures will not, by themselves, solve homelessness or addiction. But I don't think we should treat homelessness as something that begins only when someone is already sleeping on the street. Keeping people housed and reducing the financial pressures on households is also part of addressing housing insecurity.
At the same time, people who are already experiencing homelessness or struggling with addiction need access to appropriate housing, treatment, mental-health supports and other services. Housing and homelessness services are primarily the responsibility of the County, while mental-health and addiction treatment fall largely within provincial responsibility. That does not mean the City has no role to play. As a councillor, I would take every opportunity to support and facilitate access to the County's Coordinated Access system and the programs and services available through it, while working with the County, the Province and community organizations to advocate for the resources our residents need.
I also believe the City should make sure that people encountering homelessness or housing insecurity are connected to the services that already exist, rather than simply directing them elsewhere. Where there are opportunities for the City to remove barriers, provide appropriate municipal support, or work collaboratively with the County and service providers, I would pursue them.
With respect to Contingency Management specifically, I think it is reasonable to examine evidence-based approaches and consider whether particular interventions could complement existing programs. I would not, however, suggest that there is one model that will work for every person experiencing homelessness or addiction. Different people have different circumstances and needs, and our approach should be based on evidence and on what actually helps people achieve greater stability.
The second question is how to pay for these measures.
My answer is a Vacant Residential Property Tax.
Ontario municipalities have the authority to implement a vacant-home tax, which is intended in part to encourage vacant residential properties to be brought back into use and increase the availability of housing. I would work to establish such a tax in Owen Sound and dedicate the resulting revenue to practical measures that improve affordability and address housing insecurity.
Based on the number of vacant residential properties identified in the last census and the average assessed value of homes in Owen Sound, I believe a Vacant Residential Property Tax could generate approximately $4.5 million annually. That would provide a dedicated source of revenue for these initiatives without simply putting the entire cost onto homeowners through a general property-tax increase.
I believe municipal government should focus on practical things it can actually do: make it easier for people to afford to live here, make better use of the housing we already have, and work with the levels of government and community organizations that have responsibility for housing, homelessness, mental health and addiction services.
That is the approach I would bring to Council.
Thomas Arakal
I have spoken with people experiencing homelessness, including an elderly person who was staying in temporary accommodation alongside individuals struggling with addiction and mental health challenges.
That conversation stayed with me. Not everyone who is homeless is dealing with addiction. Some people simply cannot afford a place to live.
In today's economy, any one of us could face homelessness. Losing a job, becoming seriously ill, going through a family breakdown, or facing an unexpected financial crisis could change someone's life very quickly.We need to remember that before judging people.
At the same time, we cannot ignore the concerns of residents, workers, and businesses who want to feel safe in our community.I believe we can address both issues without treating them as competing priorities.
1. What approach should Owen Sound pursue?
I believe we need a combination of approaches because one solution will not work for everyone.
Some people need affordable housing. Some need help finding employment. Others need mental health services, addiction treatment, or ongoing support to live independently.
I support examining Contingency Management and other approaches that encourage people to make positive changes in their lives.
Providing incentives for measurable progress, including participation in treatment, recovery, education, or employment, may help some individuals move toward greater independence.
However, I would not support denying someone basic food, emergency shelter, or essential assistance because they have not achieved sobriety or have experienced a relapse.
Recovery takes time, and we need to recognize that people have different needs and circumstances.
I also support continuing to examine Housing First and supportive housing programs. We should look at the results of existing programs, identify what is working, and consider where improvements are needed.
I would like to see more opportunities for people to move from temporary shelter into stable housing, with appropriate support to help them maintain that housing.
We should also consider affordable housing options for seniors who want to downsize, young families looking for their first home, and working individuals who are struggling with housing costs.
I do not believe we should concentrate people experiencing homelessness in one location or create communities exclusively for them. Where appropriate, we should explore mixed housing communities that encourage inclusion and provide opportunities for people from different backgrounds and income levels to live together.
Our goal should be to help people regain stability and independence, not simply move them from one temporary arrangement to another.
2. Downtown safety and the future of our businesses
I am concerned about the future of downtown Owen Sound.
When I speak with residents and businesses, I hear concerns about public safety, drug use, and whether people feel comfortable bringing their families downtown.
We need to take these concerns seriously.
If people are afraid to visit downtown, they may choose to shop, eat, and spend their time elsewhere. When businesses lose customers, they struggle to survive. If businesses close, we lose jobs, commercial activity, and potentially commercial property tax revenue.
We already have significant pressure on residential property taxpayers. We need to retain our existing businesses and encourage more businesses to invest in Owen Sound so that the cost of municipal services can be shared across a stronger tax base.
I want to see a downtown where families feel comfortable walking, seniors can visit businesses, young people have places to spend time, and local businesses have the opportunity to succeed.
At the same time, homelessness itself should not be treated as a crime.
We need to address criminal activity and public safety concerns while ensuring that people experiencing homelessness can access food, shelter, sanitation, healthcare, and other essential services.
I would support working with OSHaRE, Grey County, healthcare providers, police, and other community organizations to examine whether some services could be delivered at different locations where people need them.
However, we should not simply move the problem from downtown into another residential neighbourhood.
Any changes should be based on proper consultation, accessibility, safety, cost, and measurable results.
We need a downtown that is safe and welcoming for everyone, including the people who live and work there, those who visit, and those who depend on essential support services.
3. The role of police and the cost of homelessness
I believe we also need to look at what our current approach is costing taxpayers.
Research and experience from supportive housing programs, including work supported by United Way, have shown that providing housing with appropriate support can be less expensive than repeatedly relying on emergency services, hospitalization, or incarceration.
We should examine these findings carefully and determine whether similar approaches could work in Owen Sound.
Police officers have an important responsibility to prevent crime, protect public safety, investigate offences, and enforce the law.
However, police officers are not housing workers, addiction counsellors, or mental health professionals.
We should not expect policing alone to solve homelessness, poverty, or mental health challenges.
When a situation involves criminal activity, violence, or a serious public safety risk, police need to respond.
When someone needs housing assistance, mental health support, or addiction treatment, we should ensure that appropriately trained professionals and community organizations are involved.
I do not want to see responsibilities transferred to people who lack the training, authority, or equipment to perform them safely. Nor should we use volunteers or civilian workers simply as a way to replace existing jobs.
We need to make better use of the services we already have and ensure that the right people respond to the right situations.
If we can prevent someone from becoming homeless, help them obtain stable housing, or connect them with appropriate treatment before their situation becomes an emergency, we may be able to improve their life while reducing long-term public costs. That is worth examining.
4. How will we pay for it?
This is where I believe Council needs to be very careful.
Owen Sound residents are already facing rising living costs and property tax pressures.
I do not want to introduce new programs without knowing how much they will cost, where the money will come from, and what results we can reasonably expect.
Before asking taxpayers for more money, I would want Council to review existing spending and identify opportunities to use our resources more effectively.
That includes examining consulting expenses, administrative costs, management structure, duplication of services, and whether existing municipal properties or facilities could be used more efficiently. Or create extra revenue.
I would also want to explore additional provincial and federal funding and work with Grey County, healthcare providers, United Way, and other community organizations to identify opportunities to share resources and improve coordination.
We should not assume that another level of government will pay for everything. At the same time, Owen Sound should not take on new financial responsibilities without understanding the long-term consequences for municipal taxpayers.
I would not promise that administrative savings alone will pay for these programs. We need to see the actual numbers before making those decisions.
Any new proposal should come with a clear budget, identified funding sources, expected outcomes, and a plan for measuring results.
My priority is to make better use of the money we already spend before placing any additional financial burden on Owen Sound taxpayers.
5. Accountability and working together
I believe we need to ask more questions about the results of our existing programs.
How many people are moving from temporary shelter into stable housing?
How many are receiving appropriate treatment and ongoing support?
Are we preventing people from becoming homeless in the first place?
Are residents and businesses seeing improvements in downtown conditions?
Are we spending money effectively, or are we continuing to respond to the same problems without addressing the underlying causes?
These are questions I would want Council to ask, while respecting the privacy and dignity of people receiving assistance.
I have not served on Owen Sound Council before, so I cannot claim to have introduced motions or made decisions on behalf of the City.
If elected, I would have one voice and one vote at the Council table.
I cannot promise to solve homelessness or addiction on my own. I can promise to listen, research the facts and costs, ask questions, and work respectfully with fellow councillors, Grey County, healthcare providers, police, businesses, and community organizations.
I would support bringing the relevant organizations together to identify gaps in our current services and examine practical options for addressing them.
We should be willing to learn from programs that have demonstrated results elsewhere, while recognizing that Owen Sound has its own needs and financial limitations.
I do not believe we should continue spending money on programs simply because that is how things have always been done. We should be prepared to review the results and make changes when necessary.
At the end of the day, I want to see fewer people living on our streets, more people receiving the help they need, a safer and more active downtown, and local businesses that can continue to grow.
We need to treat people experiencing homelessness with dignity while also respecting the concerns of residents, workers, and business owners.
Helping people get back on their feet, keeping our community safe, supporting local businesses, and protecting taxpayers' money should all be part of the same conversation.
That is the approach I would bring to the Council table.