The City of Belleville continues to operate under a State of Emergency for the addiction, mental health and homelessness crisis with officials saying the problem not only persists but has worsened.
A State of Emergency was declared in 2024 after a rash of overdoses in a matter of hours.
The city partners with the County of Hastings for the provision of social services, including housing and homelessness.
The county works to ensure that services and supports are offered to all individuals who present as homeless and works directly with individuals to prevent homelessness, however, the organization cannot force people to accept supports and services.
A group of individuals has requested the city provide land for an encampment but neither the city nor county support the use of public lands for regulated encampments.
The city continues to call on the Ontario government to address the severe addiction, mental health and homelessness crisis noting it’s a complex social problem that requires a multi-agency response.
Officials want to see a cohesive, directed plan from the upper levels of government to properly address the crisis.
Since the declaration, the provincial government has provided funding for the HART Hub at Alhambra Square, however, the city says further action is required.
Work on the HART Hub, which will offer wrap-around services for the city’s vulnerable population, is continuing but it is not expected to be operational until next year.
