Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update # 200

Dear Colleagues, There were positive announcements in July with the recognition of the harm towards First Nations children, youth and families. 

August is Overdose Awareness Month and reminds us of the work to be done in response to the opioid crisis. Overdose touches people and communities in many ways. It is a complex issue involving stigma, discrimination and various misunderstandings about drugs and people who use drugs. Our collective response to overdose prevention demands a comprehensive response from governments, organisations within and beyond health sectors, and a compassionate and informed community.

  • International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) 2023: is a global event held on August 31st each year. It aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death.  It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. The 2023 theme is “Recognizing those people who go unseen”. Campaign Resources 2023 – International Overdose Awareness Day (overdoseday.com)
  • Grey Bruce Events: Families and friends of those affected are planning memorial ceremonies in many communities.
    • In Owen Sound, Safe N Sound will be hosting a barbecue and ceremony starting at 10:30am at the Farmer’s Market. More information to follow. In Hanover, the Overdose Awareness Group are planning a casual gathering at the Heritage Square Park at the gazebo. Concentrating more on support for those who have lost people to overdose, or living in fear with someone struggling. People are welcome to share or just embrace the support. More information to follow.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) continue to call for a multi-level response to end the drug poisoning crisis. These recommendations involve emergency management and policy reform that acknowledges the root causes of addiction, such as housing related factors, poverty, unemployment, and trauma.

HOUSING SUPPORT

  • Bruce County Housing Report: was presented to the Human Services Committee meeting with the following data:
    • the number of applicants as of June 30th of this year was 1093, up from 843 at the same time in 2022.
    • the largest increase was for the number of applications for rent-geared-to-income housing, which increased by 32%, from 790 applications in 2022 to 1046 in 2023.
    • over the same time frame, the number of family applications increased by 32%, while the number of adults applying for housing went up by 29%.
    • the number of senior applications saw a smaller increase of 13%.
  • Grey County Housing Report: and update to the Housing Action Plan (HAP) was presented to the Committee of the Whole.
    • The County is expected to grow by more than 12,000 households through 2046.
    • Policy targets aim for 30% of new development at an ‘affordable’ price point to low- and moderate-income households.

FOOD SUPPORT

  • The Salvation Army Owen Sound: recently reported they are helping close to 1,000 people/month with food and clothing.
    • Annual food bank usage is up 20%.
    • Food bank feeds 750-780 people/month; 22-24% higher average than last year (600/month).
    • $60,000 spend on groceries in the last 2-3 months; with a significant increase in food for the Supportive Outreach Program (SOS).
    • The Salvation Army Port Elgin: food bank is now open 3 days/week due to demand and may go up to being open 4 days/week in September.

FUNDING SUPPORT

  • Community Foundation Grey Bruce: Applications are now open for Fall grants up to $3,000 and being accepted through our online granting portal. The deadline is September 15, 2023.

Stay well, Jill

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update #100

Dear Colleagues, 

You are invited to take part in gatherings across the region on August 31st to mark International Overdose Awareness Day. Everyone is encouraged to take part. This is a day to stand in solidarity with those who have lost loved ones while we acknowledge our collective grief and begin to heal together.

  • Grey Bruce IOAD events: many organizations are holding space on this day – M’Wikwedong NCFC, Safe n’ Sound, Peer Advisory Committee, Sasha and Jane Plant, Chippewas of Nawash First Nation Health and Wellness Centre, and Grey Bruce Health Services.  (See the poster for details of events). For more information, please visit website www.drugstrategy.org.
  • Opioid Alerts: the Grey Bruce Health Unit issued a 3rd Opioid Alert to system partners in the month of August, after receiving reports of 5 drug overdoses in the area within a 5 day period. 
  • Newly released data shows that opioids killed more people in Ontario in the 2nd year of the pandemic. Based on Owen Sound Police Service records, overdose deaths followed a similar trend (3 in 2019, 8 in 2020, 14 in 2021, 3 in 2022 YTD) in the city.  
  • Statistics Canada has released the 2021 Census Data for our region. 
  • Social Assistance Summaries 2021 have been released by Maytree. Go to the direct link for Ontario Summary .A recent TVO.org report reveals that the Ontario government has reduced spending on social assistance by $814 million dollars.  We have been advocating for an increase in social assistance rates and more investment in the program
  • Also from Maytree: Why we need to care about single adults living in poverty.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES/SUMMITS

HOUSING SUPPORT 

  • New Saugeen Shores Housing Policy: previously, affordable rental units (ARUs) were referred to as Secondary Dwelling Units, since only one could be added to a property. Now, up to three (3) ARUs are allowed per property, including two (2) within the main building and one (1) within an accessory building or structure. 
  • Westario Power LEAP has been exhausted for 2022. No new applications for LEAP are being accepted. However, Bruce County residents are still able to apply for assistance with their utility arrears by completing a Housing Stability Fund application. Here is the link for the online application: https://chpi.brucecounty.on.ca/application/create. There are also programs in the other areas where Westario Power has customers, that may be able to assist people with their utility arrears. Contact 211 for information on how to apply for programs in these areas.
  • Grey County 14th Street Housing: has moved forward and expects to have the new build completed by April 2023. This supportive housing project is key in providing individuals from the By-Name List the opportunity to move to a supported living environment to learn skills, engage in community support and develop relationships. Read the report to the Grey County Council. 

HEALTH EQUITY SUPPORT

  • Owen Sound Sexual Health Clinic: the Grey Bruce Health Unit has reopened. The clinic is open to everyone, but focuses on those who are unable to access sexual health services through their primary health care provider. The clinic is open on Wednesdays, 9am-3pm by appointment at the Health Unit (101 17th Street East, Owen Sound). Call 519-376-9420 ext 1256. 
  • ER Wait Times and Closures in Chesley and Walkerton: wait times for hospital admission are at record high in Ontario and we are seeing more closures locally. Most recently Chesley and Walkerton announced weekend closures. Hospitals are reporting that staff shortages will make it “very challenging” to maintain 24-hour emergency department hours in the four South Bruce Grey Health Centre hospitals this fall. 

FOOD SUPPORT 

TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT

  • Guelph Owen Sound Transit (GOST): has an interim fleet of new, fully accessible buses.  A new technology that allows customers to see real-time bus locations along routes and predict when buses will arrive at any selected stop will be installed on the buses later this fall.  The permanent fleet of new low-floor, ramp-equipped buses are expected to arrive in the Spring of 2023 and will be equipped with bicycle racks in readiness for the summer season.
  • For mobility transit users, Voyago will begin booking mobility transit rides on Friday, August 26, 2022  at (519) 671-7168. 
  • For more information on the City of Owen Sound’s transit service, including hours of operation, rates, and route maps, visit www.owensound.ca/transit.
  • For more information, please contact Rick Chappell, Supervisor of Environmental Services, at 519-376-4440 ext.1226 or email rchappell@owensound.ca.

Stay well, Jill