City council Monday night voted to defer a decision on dramatic cuts to Windsor’s housing and homelessness programs, a move that local anti-poverty advocates warned would close down shelters and force those in need onto the street.
“It’s a very positive move — it shows good will on the part of the mayor and council,” said Marion Overholt of Legal Assistance of Windsor.
Prompted by nearly $700,000 in funding cuts announced by the province, a council committee had recommended deep reductions in local service levels. In a letter to council, IRIS House board chair said the cuts being considered to his organization would have meant the closure of its hostel, which serves men and women suffering from persistent serious mental illness.
Eight delegations had been slated to address council Monday night, but Mayor Eddie Francis ushered them in to a private meeting prior to the council meeting. He proposed continuing the status quo until the 2013 budget session — rather than ending funding at the end of this year, in order to lobby the province and find alternatives.
The delegations agreed on establishing a working group toward that effort. Poverty advocates said the provincial cuts would have a big impact on the most vulnerable people in the community.
Francis warned, however, that “the city will not step in to make up any provincial shortfall.”
He said other Ontario municipalities have already begun lobbying against the announced provincial cuts. A letter from Hamilton said city council there has also agreed on temporarily subsidizing its housing programs while a better solution is sought — and the province is lobbied to change its decision.
