Homeless Man Embarrasses Our Provincial Government Into Action
By koopharper
@koopharper (7601)
Canada
November 27, 2022 6:36pm CST
Being homeless in Canada in the winter is a serious issue and over the past year, the issue has escalated a lot. I help build apartment buildings I could never afford to live in. Our city councilors have been warning that unless something is done people will die in the streets here. The province was refusing to recognize the extent of the problem.
We lost our first homeless person this winter season early this past week. He could not have picked a better spot. They found him in the public bathroom right in front of city hall. At least now the politicians are starting to listen. The province had to readjust its numbers to reflect reality and from there hopefully, find a way to provide some relief.
It didn't stop there though. The police misidentified the body and are in hot water over a very shoddy investigation. They are facing a lawsuit. Looks like more good might come out of this than anyone could have imagined.
6 people like this
5 responses
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
28 Nov 22
It's a growing problem here in the major cities. Unfortunately, housing costs are astronomical and the situation is not likely to improve soon.
2 people like this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
29 Nov 22
@CarolDM I think we're heading for a housing crash and who knows what will come out of that.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
28 Nov 22
@koopharper Same here in the US. Not sure when it will improve either with the recession we have.
2 people like this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
28 Nov 22
It's really sad that it came to this. Hopefully, the homeless numbers don't swell during the winter months. The new estimates will only cover the people that are homeless right now. Fortunately we have laws that forbid evicting people during the winter months.
2 people like this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
4 Dec 22
@JudyEv It's getting worse here. There is a follow-up on this story and it just keeps getting more dysfunctional. They identified the victim and it turns out to be someone they released from prison the day before. They didn't provide him with weather-appropriate clothing on release and the family is quite upset.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342077)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Nov 22
@koopharper Our rents keep climbing and more and more are being evicted. It's so sad. Mortgage rates are rising too.
2 people like this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
8 Jan 23
This did lead to more shelter space available but the big question is whether it will be enough. The reasons for the increased number of homeless are just not being addressed.
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
28 Nov 22
We open up shelters but the government was grossly underestimating the number of people in need. They were estimating somewhere just over 200 people when the reality is over 500. The number has been revised to 500 now. Last year we only had 100 homeless and we had five die from exposure.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (472097)
• Switzerland
29 Nov 22
@koopharper Oh my goodness from 100 homeless to 500 is scary, I feel so sorry for those people who hav no place where to live.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
28 Nov 22
It was horrible. Sadly that's what it took to get some action on the issue. Hopefully, it won't be forgotten in a few weeks.
1 person likes this
