Homelessness and Child Poverty 

Homelessness is......

Individuals or families at risk of homelessness are defined as those who are:  

  • at imminent risk of eviction from their current housing,  
  • paying greater than 30% of their income for housing,  
  • living in unacceptable housing or housing circumstances ( i.e. couch surfing, safety issues), or  
  • without any regular nighttime shelter, also known as sleeping rough, or absolutely homeless.

Creating Solutions for Homelessness in Our Community

In 1999, the Province of Ontario announced its Provincial Homeless Initiatives Funding and transferred the mandate for homelessness to municipalities.  This funding spurred a community movement to determine what the homeless issues were in Brantford and Brant County and identify what services were in place, where the gaps were, and the service priorities this community wishes to address.  A number of community consultations were held. 

When the federal homeless funding (SCPI - Supporting Community Partnerships Initiatives) was announced, this community was ready with its plan and community priorities identified to apply for and receive this funding. 

Under the direction of CAB (Community Advisory Board), this community worked with both the federal and municipal governments to quilt together funding from various sources to address many of its priorities.  The Community Plan was again revised in 2003 in order to receive SCPI funding from 2004 to 2007. 

Community Plan 2007

CAB (Community Advisory Board) completed a revision of the Community Plan in 2007.  The following is a brief description of the major priorities identified through numerous community consultations:

  1. Increase supply of affordable housing;
  2. Improve access to services for those who are homeless and at risk of homelessness in Brantford and Brant County;
  3. Increase supply/capacity of transitional/supportive housing;
  4. Food security;
  5. Increase understanding and support for homelessness issues;
  6. Data to quantify the issue and the supports needed;
  7. Increase supply/capacity of emergency housing/shelters;
  8. Expand resources;
  9. Increase collaboration and community development.

For more information on the Community Plan or if you have questions about other homeless funding/programs, please call Jennifer Crandall, Community Development Co-ordinate at the City of Brantford Housing Department, 519-759-3330, ext. 6244 or email jcrandall@brantford.ca.