A municipal councillor for Chatham-Kent (CK) believes a neutral perspective is needed to help address the local homelessness problem.
Michael Bondy presented a motion at Monday's council meeting, suggesting that OrgCode Consulting be hired to research the issue and come up with options to help combat it.
The Oakville-based company works with governments, organizations, and community groups to prevent, reduce, and end homelessness.
Bondy told CK News Today the municipality can't just wait for someone to offer a solution on a silver platter.
"It feels like we're spinning our wheels... there's huge amounts of frustration about what's going on and what we're doing, not doing," he said.
Bondy came up with the idea of hiring OrgCode Consulting after meeting some of the company's employees during a homeless forum in Montreal.
Since the company operates outside of the municipality, Bondy believes they'll provide an unbiased opinion on what should be done. He said this is important as the issue has divided the public, with some wanting the municipality to take a harder stance and others sympathizing with the lack of options available.
As for what Bondy wants, he believes there should be a greater effort to address the problem.
"I don't think we're doing a very good job. We're not getting anywhere, things are getting worse," added Bondy.
That being said, he believes municipal staff and organizations like Hope Haven and Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K.) are in a challenging position.
If the municipality approves hiring OrgCode Consulting, it would cost a little over $50,000. Bondy explained that no decision will be made before the company proves its worth directly to CK's council.
"If they can't provide $50,000 worth of concrete advice, then I won't vote for it."
Bondy's motion will be discussed at a council meeting in January.
