New program for homeless in Downtown Belleville

Belleville may soon have a program in its downtown helping the homeless and those with mental health or addiction challenges.

Wednesday’s virtual meeting of the Hastings County Community and Human Resources committee heard a staff report.

It indicates the main streets of the downtown district in Belleville are a refuge to many individuals with visible mental health and addictions challenges.

It says there are insufficient mobile resources to provide outreach support to this group of individuals on a day-to-day basis, which leads to many disturbances for local businesses and patrons.

Disruptions may range from loitering, sleeping on sidewalks and pathways, verbal abuse and visible drug consumption.

Currently, the only course of action, no matter the degree of seriousness, is for local business owners to call the Belleville Police Service.

A budget of $70,000 is being approved for the program which includes a staff person.

The goal of the program is to employ a full-time Support Outreach Worker who will respond to street- based concerns that do not require police intervention, with a longer-term vision to achieve an increased sense of safety and inclusion in the downtown core.

The Outreach Worker will engage with the vulnerable population who frequent the downtown core, provide support, link them to programs and services, and help facilitate positive relationships between local business owners and vulnerable individuals.

Executive Director Erin Rivers:

Committee member Belleville Councillor Garnet Thompson commented:

The proposed program is modeled after the City of Guelph’s successful ‘Welcoming Streets’ program.

The Downtown District/DBIA has partnered with several local organizations within the social service sector to form a Steering Committee to guide the process of implementing a one-year “Welcoming Streets” pilot program.

Member agencies include Grace Inn Shelter, Salvation Army, City of Belleville, United Way, Hastings County Community & Human Services, Bridge Street United Church, Peer Support, Quinte Healthcare Corporation Crisis Intervention Centre, Community Development Council of Quinte, Hastings & Prince Edward Public Health and the Belleville and Quinte West Community Health Centre.

The funding will cover staffing costs, program supplies and administration for a one-year period. 

Hastings County council will be asked to approve the program later this month.