Funding Of Homeless Shelters Under Microscope

The Mayor of Sioux Lookout says the Kenora District Services Board has to take a close look at how it funds homeless shelters.
Dennis Leney says shelters are being used as temporary homes for visitors who come to a community to access the “vice that they want”.
He says some clients go out get drunk, get arrested, released and drink again and end up staying in the shelter.
Leney stresses the shelters aren’t serving their purpose.
He says during an 11-month period, police were called to the Sioux Lookout Out-of-the Cold shelter 177-times and 97-calls for an ambulance were made.
Leney notes this is costing the KDSB and the municipality over $55,000.
He adds the Sioux Lookout shelter has 21-residents right now and three of them have been staying there for over 3-years.
Kenora representative Louis Roussin says his city is facing a similar issue.
KDSB Chief Administrative Officer Dan McNeil says a homeless plan is needed in each community this year and all concerns will be looked at.
He adds it’s up to everyone involved to sit down and draft a strategy that suits the needs of individual communities.
The KDSB also admits that there have been some clients who have stayed at a shelter while receiving Ontario Works per diems.
Leney voted against a resolution to fund the Out-of-the Cold Shelter to the tune of $26,000.
The resolution did pass with $26,000 also going to the Red Lake Shelter and $15,000 to the Kenora Fellowship Centre.