Editor: I’m writing to address the ongoing discussions about homelessness and encampments in Chatham-Kent.
The current social assistance system is fundamentally broken. A single person on Ontario Works receives just $733 per month, with a shelter allowance of only $390. In Chatham-Kent, where a one-bedroom apartment costs approximately $1,200 per month, someone on social assistance would need to spend nearly twice their monthly income just to have a roof over their head.
This is not a choice. It’s a mathematical impossibility.
Those suggesting that removing encampments will solve our community’s challenges are ignoring the root cause of homelessness: poverty. A 2023 Ontario Superior Court ruling highlighted this critical point, finding that encampment by-laws violate residents’ Charter-protected rights when insufficient shelter alternatives exist.
Research consistently shows that providing adequate income is the most effective way to prevent homelessness. When people have enough money to afford housing, they stay housed. It’s that simple.
Many argue that encampments create safety concerns, but local data tells a different story. Increased visibility of poverty is not the same as increased crime. In fact, comprehensive support services have been proven to reduce community disruption and improve overall safety.
The real solution is clear: We must dramatically increase social assistance rates. Municipalities across Ontario are recognizing that every dollar invested in housing support saves between $2 and $3 in emergency services, health care, and criminal justice costs.
Chatham will be judged by how we treat our most vulnerable members. Pushing people from one place to another is not a solution. Addressing the root causes of poverty is.
It’s time for Chatham-Kent to lead with compassion and intelligence. We must support policies that provide real opportunities for our community members to live with dignity and hope.
Ron Anicich
Co-chair
Raise The Rates Coalition
