Hastings County is facing an acute homeless crisis because of a lack of affordable rental housing in the area.
That’s according to the Hastings Housing Resource Centre, along with the Poverty Roundtable Hastings-Prince Edward.
Housing Coordinator with the Resource Centre Reta Sheppard says many people living on fixed or low incomes just can’t afford the few homes that are available in the county.
The concern is that the lack of affordable housing will put people out on the street. Sheppard says the number of affordable housing units in Bancroft has also dropped.
According to the resource centre, seniors are the most vulnerable because of this crisis. Sheppard says pensions are not increasing as much as the cost of utilities. She says some families are also faced with making a decision between paying their rent and making sure there’s food on the table.
The Hastings Housing Resource Centre does not want the crisis to escalate to a point where community centres and churches will have to be used as shelters. That’s why landlords and homeowners with extra rooms in the region are being called on to step up, and make vacant units available as soon as possible.
Landlords, homeowners, and those in need of housing can click here to access the Hastings Housing Resource Centre’s website.