County of Hastings Community and Human Services Department Housing Services 228 Church Street, Belleville, ON K8N 5E2 Phone: 613-966-1311 ...
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County of Hastings
www.hastingscounty.com Community and Human Services Department
Housing Services
228 Church Street, Belleville, ON K8N 5E2
Phone: 613-966-1311 1
Greetings from Warden, Rodney Cooney
Year 3 of the County’s 10-Year
Housing and Homelessness Plan provided
the direction and focus required to work
towards continued expansion of housing
opportunities within Hastings County and
providing services and supports to those
who are homeless or in danger of
becoming homeless. The planned 5-year
review and update of the Plan will ensure
the County’s continued focus on service
delivery while considering the most
appropriate support for individuals who
require housing and support. This year’s
annual report demonstrates the efforts
made to meet the unique needs of low to
moderate-income residents of Hastings
County from homelessness to housing,
including affordable home ownership.
Rodney Cooney
Table of Contents
Message from Community & Human Services Director 3 Emergency Minor Home Repair Program__________ 17
Population ____________ 4-5 Homelessness Partnering Strategy_______________ 18
Income __ _______ _ 6-7 Victorian Order of Nurses Assisted Living 18
Housing Highlights: Housing Starts, Home Ownership, Hastings County Home Visitor Program___________ 19
Habitat for Humanity 8-10 Home for Good____________________________ 20-21
Hastings County Social Housing Registry_____________ 11 Enumeration_______________________________ _ 22
Social Housing Placements_______________________ 12 Regeneration Continues_______________________ 24
New Housing Opportunities Created in 2017 13-15 Moving Forward______________________________23
Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative 16-17
2
Message from Erin Rivers, Director, Community and Human Services
I am pleased to introduce Hastings Annual Housing and Homelessness Report
Card. We are very proud that Hastings County remains a prime destination for
individuals and families looking to take advantage of life in a supportive
community that offers the ultimate combination of both rural and urban living.
We are equally proud of the commitment and dedication demonstrated by our
staff who continually strive to honestly assess our community through the lens of
local action and organize the collective work that needs to done around our
local housing and homelessness recommendations and initiatives. The report
will summarize our accomplishments as we progress toward our goals set in 2014.
Through our continued efforts in strengthening and developing local
partnerships Hastings remains at the forefront of helping co-design local
programs and projects with our partners that empower our community to deliver
a combination of responsive interventions and preventative strategies to help
stem the flow of individuals facing homelessness and housing instability
throughout Hastings County.
This year, we are also working on a five-year update of our 10-Year Housing and
Homelessness Plan - Opening the Right Door. Hastings remains unwavering in
our commitment to improve and expand upon affordable housing options and
although this is a compulsory activity, we are relying on this exercise as an
opportunity to re-engage with our 14 member municipalities and the Cities of
Belleville and Quinte West to help better understand the current individual
housing needs of our communities, help coordinate action, and strengthen our
community roadmap for future planning.
The Enumeration exercise conducted in April of this year also helped to increase
our knowledge of our local housing condition and certainly opened our eyes to
our community’s most vulnerable people at the level of their everyday reality.
The results were a stark reminder to us all that we must remain steadfast in our
community commitment in making homelessness a problem of the past and
ensuring that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.
Finding solutions to the current housing crisis, seems much less onerous of a task
when it’s a shared responsibility. Together, we can continue to make a
difference.
Thank you,
Erin Rivers
3
Hastings County is defined by Statistics Canada as a census division that consists of 17 census
subdivisions as noted on the map below.
The total population for Hastings County, according to the 2016 Census, was 136,445, an increase
of 1.1% from 134,934 in 2011. The population has grown from 130,474 in 2006, a 4.6% increase
over that ten year span. Within Hastings County, the majority (69.1%) of residents live within the
urban centres of Belleville (50,716) and Quinte West (43,577). 1
Figure 1
1
Source: Statistics Canada 2016 Census
4
HASTINGS COUNTY AGE DISTRIBUTION, 2016
80 and over
5% 0 - 19
65 - 79 21%
16%
20 - 34
17%
50 - 64
24%
35 - 49
17%
Figure 2
In 2016, the greatest percentage of the population (40%) in Hastings County was 50 years of age
or older. Seniors 65 to 79 years of age form 16% of this group with 24% being between the ages
of 50 and 64. This aging population demonstrates the continued need for seniors’ housing and
one-bedroom units in particular. Of particular note, over 50% (51.3) of the population in North
Hastings (see below) are in this same age category: 28.8% were between 50 and 64 while 22.5%
were 65 to 79 years of age in 2016.
Figure 3
5
Figure 4
In each age category, Hastings County has a higher percentage of low-income residents in
comparison to the Province.
% in Low Income, by Age Group, Hastings County Regions, 2015
38.2
40
35.2
35 32.4
29.1
27.8
30
% in Low Income
24.3
23.5
25 21.5 21.8 22.4
16.3 19.1 17.5 18.4 18.8
17.6 17.6
20 17.2
13.7 13.9
12.9 12.4 11.2
15 12.2
10.8
10
5
0
Total Low Income % 0 - 5 Low % 0 - 17 Low % 18 - 64 Low % 65+ Low Income
(%) Income Income Income
North Hastings Central Hastings Belleville South East Hastings Quinte West
Source: 2016 Census
Figure 52
2
Source: Statistics Canada 2016 Census
6
The Social Assistance Operations Performance Report reports 8,181 Ontario Disability Support
Program (ODSP) cases in Hastings County for the month of April, 2018.
The Hastings County Community and Human Services Department Ontario Works’ (OW) Report
indicates that there were 2,768 cases in the Hastings County catchment area for May of 2018.
7
Type Single Semi-Detached Row Apartment Total
Stirling- 10 0 8 0 18
Rawdon
Tyendinaga 26 0 0 0 26
Belleville 85 20 37 77 219
(urban)
Belleville 144 0 24 0 168
(rural)
Quinte West 213 18 48 0 279
Total 474 38 117 77 706
Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation (CMHC) collects housing
starts data for the above-noted
municipalities only. Within the City of
Belleville’s urban area, 26 of the 77
apartment units started in 2017 are
part of an affordable housing project
being constructed on Sidney Street.
Of these 26 units, 18 will be rented at
affordable rates (80% of the average
market rent established by CMHC for
the region). All but one of the units in
the building are one-bedroom.
3
Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
8
The Town of Bancroft reported that 10 building permits were issued for new single detached
dwellings and 1 was issued for a duplex dwelling. In addition, the Town reports that a vacant lot
on Chemaushgon Rd was rezoned to permit the construction of a 7-unit multi-residential
development. The developer indicated to the Town that the target market for the development is
for those on low and/or fixed incomes.
More single, family dwellings (owned) continue to be built across Hastings County. Municipalities
report the following housing starts:
Carlow Mayo: 3 single, family dwellings and 2 seasonal;
Centre Hastings: 16 single, family dwellings and 1 semi-detached;
Deseronto: 1 single, family dwelling;
Faraday: 10 single, family dwellings (5 permanent and 5 seasonal)
Madoc Township: 12 single, family dwellings;
Marmora and Lake: 14 single, family dwellings and 10 apartment units;
Tudor and Cashel: 2 single, family dwellings;
Tweed: 22 single, family dwellings;
Wollaston: 6 single, family dwelling.
(At the time of this report, housing start information was not available from Hastings Highlands or Limerick.)
9
Location Average House Price
Bancroft $225,469
Belleville $303,544
Carlow/Mayo $178,550
Centre Hastings $265,542
Deseronto Not reported
Faraday $275,602
Hastings Highlands $282,515
Limerick $260,375
Madoc $239,089
Marmora and Lake $226,213
Quinte West $297,936
Stirling-Rawdon $248,918
Tudor and Cashel $187,629
Tweed $207,233
Tyendinaga Twp $282,925
Wollaston $173,625 4
High home buying costs make affordable home ownership difficult to achieve if not impossible
for the 15% of the low-income population (reported above in Figure 4) in the age category 25 to
54 years of age.
The Home Ownership Down Payment Assistance Program was created in an effort to encourage
affordable home ownership across Hastings County. In 2017, 7 home buyers were assisted in the
City of Belleville with down payment assistance to purchase homes with an average house price
of $164,364.29 and an average household income of $43,528.43. In Quinte West, Trenton Ward,
1 home buyer was assisted with the purchase of a home valued at $176,000.00 and a household
income of $70,033.
Hastings County and Habitat for Humanity
Prince Edward-Hastings partnership
continues…
In 2017, Hastings County assisted 3 Habitat home
buyers with down payment assistance to reduce
their Habitat for Humanity mortgage allowing
Habitat to stretch their funding dollars!
4
Bancroft and District Real Estate Board and Quinte and District Association of Realtors
10Access to rent-geared-to income (RGI) housing and housing subsidy programs in Hastings
County is managed by the Social Housing Registry. Depending on their circumstance,
people applying for RGI/subsidy programs are placed on the Centralized Waitlist. The
table below reports the waitlist for housing programs as of December 31, 2017.
Centralized Waitlist Waitlist by Location* Special Priority (Victims of Domestic Violence)
Waitlist
Household Category Count Location Count Household Category Count
Families 430 Bancroft 194 Families 31
Seniors aged 65+ 323 Belleville 1140 Seniors aged 65+ 2
Seniors aged 50 to 64 456 Coe Hill 9 Seniors aged 50 to 64 12
Single, Non-Senior 342 Deseronto 186 Single, Non-Senior 30
Total 1,551 Frankford 111 Total 75
Madoc 69
Marmora 68
Stirling 76
* Households can be on Trenton 531 The Centralized
multiple waitlists by location. Tweed 74 Waitlist increased by
4% from 2016.
As noted above, households can be placed on multiple waitlists by location. Approximately 46%
of the households on the Centralized Waitlist have indicated the City of Belleville as one of their
preferences. The City of Belleville is the largest urban center within Hastings County. The City of
Belleville has seen a significant drop in the vacancy rate for rental housing from 4.3% in October
of 2015 to the current 2.2% as reported by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
(CMHC), (4.3 to 4.5% is considered a healthy vacancy rate). CMHC also reported that the City of
Belleville experienced the highest rent increase for the Province of Ontario from 2.3% in 2016 to
5% in 2017.5
5
CMHC Rental Market Survey
11In the 2017 calendar year, 125 households were In addition to households being housed in
housed from the Hastings County Social Hastings County owned and operated
Housing Registry in Hastings County owned and properties, 49 households were housed in
operated properties. These include the private Non-Profit Housing and Cooperative
following locations: locations. These include:
Location Households Housed Location Households Housed
Bancroft 11 Bancroft 15
Belleville 66 Belleville 12
Coe Hill 0 Coe Hill 0
Deseronto 14 Deseronto 0
Frankford 3 Frankford 0
Madoc 3 Madoc 0
Marmora 7 Marmora 0
Stirling 2 Stirling 0
Trenton 19 Trenton 22
Tweed 0 Tweed 0
Of the total of 183 households housed in 2017, 50 were housed as Special Priority applicants (SPP). SPP status
may be assigned to a household where a member of the household is experiencing or has experienced abuse
by a person with whom they live / have lived, or whom is sponsoring them under an Immigration sponsorship.
As mandated by the Province under the Housing Services Act, 2011, SPP applicants are housed ahead of
applicants on the Centralized Waitlist and the Urgent Waitlist.
In 2017, 111 households were housed from the Urgent Waitlist. The Urgent Waitlist is a local priority list
mandated by County Council. Of the 111 households, 50 were housed due to a medical issue, 54 were
homeless and 7 households were considered “other”. Applicants from the Urgent Waitlist are housed ahead
of chronological applicants but behind SPP.
In addition to rent-geared-to-income (RGI) social housing properties, households are also placed in RGI rent
supplement units in the private sector. In 2017, 9 households were housed in rent supplement units: 8 in the
City of Belleville and 1 in Bancroft.
The total number of households housed in 2017 is down by 21% since 2016. This decrease is due to lower
turnover of units. In turn, lower turnover can be attributed to several factors (that are not limited to the
following):
Households still need subsidized housing and cannot afford to move.
Units are well-maintained, and comparable housing is not available that is affordable.
There is a lack of affordable housing options in the area in general for rental and home ownership.
In the City of Belleville, where demand for housing is the highest, (as noted above), CMHC reports a
vacancy rate of 2.2%.
Landlords are opting out of participating in the rent supplement programs, limiting the opportunity for
turnover.
12Hastings County was allocated $1,628,900 in Year 4 of the IAH-E Program.
$1,000,000 was allocated to the Rental Component for the creation of new affordable housing
units;
$230,000 was allocated to the Home Ownership Down Payment Assistance Program to provide
eligible home buyers with 10% down payment assistance to purchase a home in Hastings
County (including the Cities of Belleville and Quinte West).
$317,455 created a new North Hastings Housing Allowance Direct Delivery Program, and
The remaining $81,445 was allocated to Administration which permitted the Community and
Human Services Department to hire a staff person to coordinate the new programs.
Hastings County was allocated $ 1,354,200 in Year 2 of the SIF Program. $1,286,490 of this funding
was partnered with the Rental Component of the IAH-E for a total Rental Component Allocation of
$2,286,490.
The City of Belleville is the site of construction of two new affordable housing developments
partially funded through the IAH-E, Year 4 funding allocation and the SIF program. MAPS
Development Corporation was selected as one of the successful proponents to build a 26-unit
building (Phase 2) on Sidney Street. MAPS is a newly created for-profit development company
(2016) dedicated to providing a combination of affordable rental housing with reasonable market
units. This is the second of 2 affordable housing projects on the property.
MAPS has committed to providing 16 of the 26 units at affordable rental rates (80% of the average
market rent set by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for the region).
MAPS has signed partnership agreements with several local support agencies (such as Community
Living), who will provide support services to their clients who will live in the building. The client
group focus for the affordable housing units is seniors, persons with disabilities, victims of domestic
violence, people with mental health issues or addictions and the working poor. The non-affordable
housing units will be market units to ensure a mixed income building. MAPS intends to hire a
Partnership Coordinator to facilitate the relationship between the tenants, landlord and partner
agencies. The project is the first of its kind in the region and is modelled after St. Clare’s Multi-faith
Housing Society in Toronto (see www.stclares.ca. for more information). The building will be ready
for occupancy in the summer of 2018.
13Pathways to Independence was the second
proponent selected to receive Year 4 Rental
Component funding from the IAH-E to build 6
one-bedroom units on North Park Street in
Belleville.
Pathways to Independence is a not-for-profit
agency created in 1990 to support the
transition of nearly 100 people with
developmental disabilities from long-term
institutional life to community living. Since
that time, Pathways has evolved into an
agency that provides community-based
services and supports to 268 adults with an
acquired brain injury or a developmental
disability. Pathways’ new build will add much
needed housing for this client group.
Pathways will provide on-site support services
to their tenants and will bring in other
community professionals as needed.
All 6 ground level 1-bedroom suites will be
rented at 80% average market rent (set by
CMHC for the region) for 25 years and will
incorporate a number of features based on
the concept of ‘Crime Prevention through
Environmental Design’.
Construction of the single storey 6-unit
apartment building has begun.
NEW
!!
The North Hastings Housing Allowance Direct Delivery Program provides $354 per month to assist
14 eligible households with accommodations costs. A Housing Allowance is a subsidy that can be paid
directly to eligible households in need of assistance to cover accommodation costs (rent). The benefit
is portable within North Hastings (highway 7 corridor and north). A household in receipt of Housing
Allowance Direct Delivery benefits may remain on the Centralized Waitlist.
Housing
Allowance
Direct
Delivery 31 Belleville 21 Trenton
1 Deseronto 2 Stirling
58 2 Frankford 1 Madoc
Households
Assisted 14Housing
Allowance
Shared
Delivery
1 Bancroft 2 Madoc
30 Belleville 8 Trenton
41
Households
Assisted
IAH Rent
Supplement
$210/Month*
21 Bancroft 1 Marmora
76 Belleville 11 Trenton
118 Units 6 Frankford 3 Tweed
*The Investment in Affordable Housing (IA) Rent Supplement Program Benefits are paid directly to the landlord.
15As part of the Province’s efforts to end homelessness, Ontario launched the Community
Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) on January 1, 2013. The CHPI combined funding from
former separate housing and homelessness programs into a single program. Funding is used by
Service Managers to address local priorities and better meet the needs of individuals and families
who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Using CHPI funding, Hastings County established the following programs:
The Housing and Homelessness Fund (HHF) for rental and utility arrears;
Hastings Energy Assistance Top-up (HEAT) which offers housing allowances to offset the
high costs of energy and heat;
Emergency Minor Home Repair (EMHR) which assists low-income home owners with up to
$5,000 for minor home repairs of an urgent nature;
Counselling program for those vicariously housed (CHAMP);
Various food security programs;
Assistance to help residents who are experiencing hoarding and bug infestation; and
Other forms of assistance on a case-by-case basis to prevent homelessness.
70 households 407 households 3 households moved
moved from moved from from emergency
homelessness to homelessness to long- shelter to transitional
transitional housing term housing housing
28 households 49 households
moved from moved from
emergency shelter to transitional housing to
long-term housing long-term housing
16Hastings County Community and Human Services staff work diligently to stabilize households at
risk of homelessness through such initiatives as eviction prevention services, the payment of
rental and energy arrears and case management. In 2017, 3,233 households were prevented from
losing their housing through these services.
25,351 at-risk households received supports and services that contributed to housing loss
prevention, retention and re-housing. These include such items as referrals to support
agencies or counselling services.
22, 984 households received practical assistance to maintain their housing. This assistance
included items like grocery cards, food baskets or community garden start-ups.
1,426 households were given educational opportunities to assist them with maintaining
their housing. Residents were instructed on how to communicate effectively with their
landlord and how to be a good neighbour.
2,645 households were given referrals to a several local agencies for housing support.
381 households stayed in an emergency shelter in 2017.
The average stay was 6.22 nights.
155 households that identified as female were housed.
138 male households that identified as male were housed.
There were 88 households with children under the age of 16 years.
Low-income home owners are assisted with up to $5,000 for emergency minor home repairs for
such items as roof repairs, furnaces, replacement of oil tanks and the like. In 2017, 39 home
owners were helped under the EMHR program.
Municipality Number of Households Assisted
Bancroft 5
Belleville 8
Deseronto 2
Hastings Highlands 6
Limerick 1
Madoc 1
Marmora and Lake 2
Quinte West 8
Stirling-Rawdon 1
Tweed 3
Tyendinaga 1
Wollaston 1
17Hastings County received $177,831 in funding from the Federal Homelessness Partnering Strategy
(HPS). The funding was awarded as follows:
1. The Hastings Housing Resource Centre (HHRC) received $59,400 to fund their Intensive Case
Management position (ICM). The position assisted 101 hard-to-house single individuals, couples
and families to find and maintain housing in the City of Belleville.
2. The Community Trust received $44,000 to assist 163 households with expenses like paying utilities
and/or rent to avoid eviction and other urgent financial needs.
3. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) received $39,915 to hire a Preservation
Counsellor to assist 23 Clients in their Transitional Homes with counselling and support services.
4. Bridge Street United Church received $25,776 to complete a homelessness research study in the
City of Belleville.
5. Hastings County established a support program for seniors to assist them with emergency requests
to maintain housing (hydro, heat, rent). $6909 was used to help 17 senior households.
In February of 2017, Hastings County’s Housing Services Division implemented an Assisted Living
partnership with the Victorian Order of Nurses Hastings, Prince Edward, Northumberland (VON).
Ten units of social housing at 245 and 247 Bridge Street West in Belleville have been dedicated to
the program.
The partnership enhances the ability of seniors living in these social housing properties to maintain
their independence while remaining in their homes for as long as possible. These services will
address the needs of individuals who reside at home and require the availability of personal
support and homemaking services on a 24-hour basis.
The program has been fully taken up and 11 residents have taken advantage of the program (10
currently). There is currently a short waitlist.
18The Home Visitor Program supports
individuals at risk of becoming
homeless, provides daily living
assistance, does safety check-ins, and
connects people with community
supports.
In 2017, services were provided to:
28 families households with 43
adults 59 years of age or younger,
5 adults who are 60 years of age
or older and 45 children under the
age of 16 years;
88 adult households (single, or
couples), 59 years of age or
younger; and
44 seniors aged 60 years or older.
Some of the services that may be
provided include:
Guidance on how to balance
home, job, school, and family
Referral to appropriate services
Safety check- ins
Assistance in setting up
transportation
Visits to isolated client
Assistance with skill development
(banking, shopping, budgeting,
cleaning, parenting, hygiene,
problem solving, negotiating)
Connecting client to other
community resources
Recreation Support
19In May of 2017, Hastings County submitted an Expression of Interest for the Home for Good
Program to the Province and was notified on September 11, 2017 that funding was approved for a
capital supportive housing project and operating dollars. The funding allocation awarded was:
1. A HFG Capital Allocation in Year 1 (2017-2018) of $5,169,864; and
2. An Operating Component that is multi-year as follows:
i. Yr. 1 (2017-2018) $125,446;
ii. Yr. 2 (2018-2019) $583,987; and
iii. Yr. 3 (2019-2020) $583,987.
Home for Good (HFG) is a Provincially-funded homelessness-focused program which will provide
housing assistance and support services to people experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk
of being homeless.
Using a housing-first approach, HFG will provide permanent affordable housing with support
services to the following at-risk client groups:
adults with developmental disabilities, acquired brain injuries;
adults and youth with mental health and addictions’ concerns;
individuals transitioning from correctional facilities;
individuals transitioning from healthcare settings;
senior adults with mental/physical health concerns.
Hastings County has partnered with 7 local service providers to provide support services to the
identified at-risk client groups. These include:
Hastings Prince Edward Addictions and Mental Health Services;
Pathways to Independence;
Canadian Mental Health Association;
Belleville and Quinte West Community Health Centre /VON;
John Howard Society;
Peer Support South East; and
Youthabilitation.
Each agency, with the exception of Hastings Prince Edward Addictions and Mental Health Services
has received operating funding for staffing, housing allowances and in the case of Pathways to
Independence and Youthabilitation first and last months’ rent assistance. In addition, each agency,
except for Youthabilitation, will be allocated units in the new 40-unit supportive housing project
when it is completed. The allocations are as follows:
Hastings Prince Edward Addictions and Mental Health Services: 20
Pathways to Independence: 6
Canadian Mental Health Association: 4
Belleville and Quinte West Community Health Centre/VON: 4
John Howard Society: 4
Peer Support South East: 2
20Youthabilitation and Pathways to Independence successfully implemented the HFG program in
their respective agencies in October of 2017. Both agencies began by offering first and last
months’ rent assistance and housing allowances of $360 to their clients. The assistance continues
and has helped at-risk youth as well as individuals with developmental disabilities and acquired
brain injuries obtain and/or maintain housing. Both agencies provide support services to their
clients to ensure that they uphold the requirements of their tenancy and are good neighbours.
As of March 31st, 2018, 45 individuals have been assisted through the HFG program.
The Canadian Mental Health Association, Belleville and Quinte West Community Health Centre
/VON, John Howard Society and Peer Support South East implemented their respective HFG
programs in April of 2018. These agencies hired staff to work with the HFG program and offer
financial assistance in the form of housing allowances to the clients that they serve who are
homeless or at-risk of homelessness.
The HFG capital project is expected to open its doors in the summer of 2019. The 40-unit building
will be located at 490 Sidney Street in Belleville. This location is on a public transit route and is
close to numerous amenities in a largely residential neighbourhood.
The HFG building will be 3 stories with Hastings Prince Edward Addictions and Mental Health
Services (AMHS-HPE) office staff and 14 high-risk clients occupying the 3rd floor. AMHS-HPE will
provide 24/7 support to their high-risk clients. AMHS-HPE will also have 6 rent supplement units in
the building funded by the South East Local Integration Network. The partner agencies will house
their respective clients in the remaining 20 units.
The building is a combination of 1-bedroom, bachelor and crisis bed units as well as offices,
common rooms with adjacent washrooms, laundry facilities, bicycle/scooter storage as well as an
outdoor patio area. The building exceeds accessibility requirements with 9 units being accessible
(3 will be fully accessible with height-adjustable cupboards and 6 meeting modified unit
requirements with such features as lower countertops, roll-in showers and the like).
Hastings County’s Local Housing Corporation will own and operate the building as part of the
overall Social Housing portfolio. A staff person has been hired to work in the building to
coordinate the relationship between the LHC as the landlord and tenants and the partner agency
responsible for the provision of support services in the building. The project will help to address
the homelessness issue in Hastings County and in particular, the City of Belleville.
21As part of the Province’s efforts to end chronic homelessness by 2025 and the long-term goal to
end homelessness, the Ministry of Housing is requiring Service Managers to conduct local
enumeration of people experiencing homelessness.
Local enumeration which is the measurement of the number of people experiencing homelessness
over a specific period of time, will help Service Managers and the Province better understand the
scale and nature of homelessness in our communities, as well as inform current and future policy
development and program design.
In April, 2018 the Bridge Street United Church Food Ministry in partnership with the Community
Development Council completed enumeration in the Cities of Belleville and Quinte West as well as
the Towns of Madoc and Bancroft.
The information through enumeration will inform Hastings County’s 10-Year Housing and
Homeless Plan in determining future funding decisions through various funding initiatives
available to Hastings County.
The Hastings County Community and Human Services Department co-hosted an event on June 13,
2018 with the Poverty Roundtable to provide preliminary results of the enumeration exercise. 211
surveys were completed. Of this 211; 150 were experiencing homelessness in Belleville; 50 in
Quinte West; 10 in Bancroft and 1 in the Town of Madoc.
The types of homelessness that were identified were:
1. Unsheltered – “sleeping rough,” sleeping in public places or places not intended for human
habitation (e.g. cars, vacant buildings);
2. Emergency Sheltered – accessing emergency shelters or hotel/motel beds in lieu of
shelters; and
3. Provisionally Accommodated – living temporarily with others (e.g. couch-surfing), or
temporary rental arrangements. Also transitional housing and institutions where
individuals may be discharged into homelessness.
71% of those surveyed identified as Provisionally Accommodated. 15% were in emergency shelters
and 14% were unsheltered. 45% of individuals were experiencing chronic homelessness, meaning
they experienced homeless between 6 and 12 months in the past year. These figures serve to
highlight the need to take immediate action to address homelessness and the need for affordable
housing options across Hastings County and in the Cities of Belleville and Quinte West.
The full report of the enumeration exercise is available at http://povertyroundtablehpe.ca/prt/wp-
content/uploads/2018/06/Enumeration-Preliminary-Results-Presentation_13June18.pdf.
22Hastings County began a regeneration program in 2015. Council made the decision to sell 47
single, detached units in the Cities of Belleville and Quinte West. The proceeds from the sale are
being used to build 50 new townhouse units in replacement. In 2017, 6 detached units were sold.
Construction of 8 family units began in 2017 at two existing social housing properties in the City of
Belleville, 4 located at Elgin, Tripp and Moira Streets and 4 located at Russell Street.
The units at Elgin, Tripp and Moira Streets are scheduled for occupancy on July 1st, 2018 closely
followed by the Russell Street units in August.
23Hastings County will continue working with the Investment in Affordable Housing for Ontario
Program Extension (IAH-E) throughout 2018 and into 2019. The programs being implemented
include the Rental Component, Home Ownership Down-Payment Assistance Program, and new to
Hastings County, the Ontario Renovates Program for home owners in April of 2019.
More affordable housing is under construction on Sidney Street in Belleville which includes a
second phase to the MAPS’ Phase 1 project.
The Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative continues to play a key role in helping people
obtain and retain housing. Hastings County will continue to utilize this valuable resource to
improve the quality of life for residents of Hastings County and the Cities of Belleville and Quinte
West.
Hastings County is poised to begin the 5-year review of the 10-Year Housing and Homelessness
Plan mandated by the Province to be completed by June of 2019. The review will provide Hastings
County with the opportunity to revisit recommendations in the Plan to ensure that identified goals
and objectives continue to be met in the second 5 years of the Plan and that revisions are made in
areas where change is needed.
The lack of available affordable housing in Hastings County including the Cities of Belleville and
Quinte West is at a critical level. People simply cannot find affordable housing. It will take Hastings
County, partner municipalities and the community as a whole working together to address the
housing needs in our community. Recent Federal announcements indicate funding will be
available to build new affordable housing and maintain existing social housing stock that is aging.
It appears that the new Federal National Housing Strategy sets targets for reducing homelessness
and housing need, and a policy and investment approach for the federal government’s role in
achieving that. Hastings County’s review of the 10-Year Plan will include a close look at these new
Federal programs and where they complement the goals and objectives of the existing Plan and
new objectives identified in the review process. In addition, Hastings County is interested to learn
more about the Province’s future investment in affordable housing, in particular the IAH program
and potential improvements to the implementation of program components.
Hastings County will also take a closer look at the results of the enumeration exercise and engage
with community partners to work towards addressing the housing needs of the homeless in the
community. It is evident from this exercise that more work needs to be completed in relation to
data collection to assist in the development of evidence-based decision-making.
Special thanks to the Community and Human Services staff who provided information
to inform the 2017 annual report card for the 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan.
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