MINUTES — PUBLIC – Gatineau, Healthy City Commission – 4th meeting – September 26, 2024 – 9 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.
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Proposal for the 2025-2029 Integrated Action Plan on Homelessness and Social Development
The document Plan d’action municipal en itinérance et en développement social 2025-2029 (2025-2029 Municipal Action Plan on Homelessness and Social Development) was presented. Members received the document prior to the meeting. The objective is to present the 2025-2029 municipal action plan on homelessness and social development as well as to obtain a recommendation from the Commission for its adoption by the municipal council.
This is an integrated action plan since the two previous action plans expired at the same time. Converging orientations and objectives as well as similar themes have been grouped together (for example, housing). The results of the following consultations were integrated into the action plan:
- Homelessness profile;
- Summit on homelessness and social development;
- Public consultation via an online questionnaire;
- Focus group composed of people living in situations of social exclusion.
The proposed plan spans from 2025 to 2029; one year has been added to the schedule to ensure the development of the subsequent plan as well as the transition to it. It includes six orientations: governance; adapted communications; research, concertation, and partnership; a suitable roof for all; interventions adapted to realities; neighborhood life and community development. Citizens and people experiencing homelessness are at the center of concerns.
Although the plan has anchors and inter-departmental links, the actions included in the City's other plans have not been included in this one. The planned actions were briefly reviewed according to the six established orientations.
The presentation prompted the following comments, questions, or clarifications:
- Concertation work could be carried out between the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) and the City. By interacting with people experiencing homelessness, sharing tools could contribute to the training of STO staff. There is a desire to improve communication and fluidity regarding the sharing of tools. To this end, a specific web page dedicated to homelessness will integrate all the tools developed by the City as well as partners. They will thus be available to the entire population.
- Regarding social pricing, the STO has implemented the ECHO program since 2018. A collaboration to align efforts with those of the City could also be developed. It is indicated that a collaboration would indeed be interesting.
- Details are requested regarding the definition and objectives of social pricing. At the City, work is underway to align tools with those developed by the Service des arts, de la culture et des lettres. This will have an impact on the definition of social pricing.
- The basic criterion for social pricing is a viable income, but this can include large gaps, making it difficult to define the other criteria attached to it.
- The plan proposes an analysis of the issue since social pricing could take different forms, due to the diversity of activities. It is likely that a single approach to this issue will be difficult.
- Congratulations on the ambition shown by the plan. A more explicit clarification is suggested regarding roles and responsibilities in the area of homelessness. The action plan process is centered on citizens, including people experiencing homelessness. The proposed wording should be reviewed in this sense (page 9).
- Other tools must be updated. The issue of homelessness involves many people (community sector, private sector, etc.) who have now taken on this new mission. This is not without worrying the community ecosystem. These changes are giving rise to new challenges, including those related to communication. Does the City intend to hire more staff? It is indicated that the plan will be presented to the municipal council; a financial component is attached to it. Budgetary discussions will follow. The plan involves the addition of new human resources to carry out all the proposed measures.
- Congratulations to the team as well as to Patrick Campeau.
- Very satisfying to see the objective aimed at improving living together and facilitating cohabitation in public spaces. The territory includes 40,000 children aged four to sixteen who travel to school establishments. As camp sites are increasingly scattered across the territory, it is important not to forget the concern for safety in the work surrounding this objective. It is mentioned that, although the parameters are not yet clear, there have been intentions from the government to limit the presence of supervised injection sites near schools. In the context of camp management, the concerns of the school environment will be taken into consideration in the entire component of cohabitation and cohesion to ensure the safety of everyone.
- The action plan includes many elements and measures. It would be important that emergency or crisis situations do not constitute all the actions deployed by the City. Transitional housing must receive more attention. Upon its adoption by the municipal council, it is important to devote the necessary financial means to achieve the objectives.
Recommendation
CONSIDERING THAT the Commission Gatineau, Ville en santé committed in its 2024-2025 work plan to ensure the follow-up of the action plans on homelessness and social development;
CONSIDERING THAT the review of the two action plans was submitted to the Commission;
CONSIDERING THAT the two action plans are now grouped since they have common principles and anchors:
CGVS-2024-04
The Commission Gatineau, Ville en santé, during its regular meeting on September 26, 2024, recommends to the municipal council:
- To adopt the 2025-2029 Municipal Action Plan on Homelessness and Social Development.
Proposed by Alicia Lacasse-Brunet Seconded by Jeneviève Caron Adopted unanimously
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Homelessness Profile
The document Portrait de l’itinérance-Mosaïque complexe-Multiples actions requises (Homelessness Profile - Complex Mosaic - Multiple Actions Required) was presented. Members received the document prior to the meeting. The objective of the presentation is to provide a general overview of homelessness in the City. This profile is one of the actions targeted in the 2021-2023 Triennial Action Plan on Homelessness. As the homelessness situation is evolving rapidly, the profile has already changed since its creation. Data was collected between October 2022 (the last count conducted by the Gouvernement du Québec) and December 2023.
A profile was created for the greater City of Gatineau in addition to profiles for each of its sectors. One hundred and twenty-one people were met, of whom eighty-nine were from organizations and institutions, and thirty-two were experiencing homelessness, representing 25% of those met.
The conclusions of the profile are:
- Multifactorial situations that are deeply human (affecting both women and men);
- Urgency and numerous faces;
- Clarification of roles and responsibilities (to allow for rapid decision-making and communication according to each person's responsibilities);
- Concertation and involvement (solutions do not come from a single actor; the community sector cannot bear the cost of the lack of leadership from institutions);
- Current housing crisis;
- Issues of drug use and mental health (80% of people without shelter or in shelters have a mental health issue, and of that number, 60 to 75% have drug use issues);
- Accessibility to services (there is a lack of resources to accompany people in their processes);
- Communication;
- Food (a food security policy is necessary to ensure at least two meals per day for the vulnerable population);
- Funding for maintenance, strengthening, and development (there is a lack of infrastructure and services).
Homelessness is found:
- In all sectors of the City (especially in disadvantaged communities);
- Concentrated in vulnerable communities;
- Along riverbanks and in wooded areas;
- In new rooming houses in more affluent communities;
- In Ottawa.
The underlying reasons for homelessness:
- 24% Eviction;
- 18% Insufficient income;
- 15% Conflict (spouse, roommate, or landlord).
More detailed data is presented regarding the issues experienced according to the following typology of homelessness:
- Homeless (unsheltered);
- Shelter;
- Temporary accommodation;
- At risk of homelessness.
The presentation prompted the following comments, questions, or clarifications:
- Has it been observed that when the deadline for community housing expires, people experience precarious situations again? It is mentioned that organizations show great flexibility toward people whose only option is to return to the street. However, by extending deadlines, waiting lists grow longer.
- The mapping of the sectors is missing. It is indicated that the current presentation focuses on the greater City of Gatineau. The profile for each of the sectors will be transmitted to members shortly (Aylmer, Buckingham and Masson-Angers, Hull, and Gatineau sectors). As people move around a lot, not all camp locations are disclosed for safety reasons.
- What is the impact for families with school-aged children? How many families are experiencing this situation? It is noted that there is currently no data on families. These are more difficult to count because they hide; they are part of hidden homelessness. Les Œuvres-Isidore-Ostiguy handles the relocation of families. This organization would likely be able to provide data related to this question.
- It would be good to document homelessness among newcomers and asylum seekers. It is mentioned that this situation would indeed benefit from being documented since there is currently no data. Accueil Parrainage Outaouais (APO) does not differentiate between newcomers and people without status.
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Review of the 2021-2023 Social Development and Homelessness Action Plans
The document Bilan des Plans d’action en itinérance en développement social 2021-2023 (Review of the 2021-2023 Homelessness and Social Development Action Plans) was presented. Members received the document prior to the meeting. The objective is to present a review of the actions undertaken within the framework of the action plans on homelessness and social development between 2021 and 2023, as well as to obtain a recommendation from the Commission regarding the filing of this review.
The issue of homelessness is evolving very quickly. Reflection on the means of action must practically take place at the same time as their implementation. The next action plan will be action-oriented. The City has an extraordinary team and it is working hard with the steering committee.
The actions carried out for the 2021-2023 Homelessness Action Plan were briefly reviewed according to the established orientations: a suitable roof for all; inclusion of all; interventions adapted to realities; acting together.
The actions carried out for the 2021-2023 Social Development Action Plan were also briefly reviewed according to the established orientations: the neighborhood as a development hub; accessibility to affordable and quality housing (in connection with the Politique d’habitation); consolidation of public transit and diversification of modes of transport; health and well-being at the center of quality of life and education as a basis for economic and social development; research and development as a means of analyzing issues specific to Gatineau and the Outaouais as a border zone and as a means of evaluating the impacts of the Politique de développement social; support for community action.
The presentation prompted the following comments, questions, or clarifications:
- Congratulations are extended to the entire SLSDC team for the work accomplished. It has shown great resilience.
- The Service d’urbanisme et du développement durable (SUDD) needs to create a profile of housing in Gatineau; this information could be complementary to that presented in the review. It is mentioned that the work is carried out in collaboration with the SUDD and that a profile of affordable housing is available. Data on rental housing from the Société canadienne d’hypothèque et de logement (SCHL) also contributed to all the work.
Recommendation
CONSIDERING THAT the Commission Gatineau, Ville en santé committed in its 2024-2025 work plan to ensure the follow-up of the action plans on homelessness and social development;
CONSIDERING THAT the review is positive and that the new 2024-2029 action plan on homelessness and social development is at the approval stage:
CGVS-2024-03
The Commission Gatineau, Ville en santé, during its regular meeting on September 26, 2024, recommends to the municipal council:
- To accept the filing of the 2021-2023 Review of the action plans on homelessness and social development.
Proposed by Alicia Lacasse-Brunet Seconded by Stéphanie Ayotte Adopted unanimously
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Statutory Item: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
An update was provided on the progress of initiatives related to resolution number CM-2023-301 regarding multiple chemical sensitivity.
- An occupational health and safety information sheet on chemical sensitivity was produced by the Human Resources Department and distributed to various departments. A social media communication campaign is also planned. Posters have been installed in municipal infrastructure.
- During the next call for tenders, the City's Procurement Department will request fragrance-free products. In the meantime, certain products have been obtained, such as dish soap used by staff.
- Regarding the recommendation related to the establishment of a specialized team, a follow-up will be conducted at the next meeting.