Communities Weigh Homelessness, Housing Solutions

Across Welland, the Tri-Valley and Riverside, local leaders and candidates identify deeply affordable, permanent housing as central to addressing homelessness, while emphasizing that housing plans must translate into homes people with very low incomes can afford. Proposals include faster approvals for qualifying projects, supportive services such as mental health care and case management, and stronger local involvement in planning; Riverside candidates also face questions about the city’s housing commitments and prohousing designation after its rejection of a supportive-housing project. Welland mayoral candidate Natashia Bergen calls for greater City Hall transparency and accountability, arguing that common affordability benchmarks leave out people with low or single incomes. A homelessness-services provider executive adds that programs should be updated for current conditions, evaluated with rigorous evidence and measurable outcomes, and backed by greater recognition and support for frontline workers.