Green Wood ED appeals for advocacy

By Cecilia Nasmith

One group that has been acutely affected by the pandemic is the disadvantage of society.

A letter to Cobourg council this week from Green Wood Coalition's Executive Director David Sheffield shared some of his experiences over the past year working with those who are homeless, experiencing critical mental illness and unsafe drug use, in a call for more advocacy from the town – something all levels of government have failed to address in a meaningful way.

As increasing numbers are facing homelessness, Sheffield said, they are losing access to health care, housing and basic needs. He is asking for advocacy in support of a number of measures:

• Adequate, safe supported housing for anyone who is unsheltered.

• Protection from unnecessary levels of intervention by police services for those who are unsheltered (including those taking steps to shelter themselves on public property).

• Income equity for those who cannot work because of disability.

• Equitable access to vaccines, emergency care and hospital care.

Councillor Nicole Beatty made a motion to refer the letter to the newly formed ad hoc working group reviewing an inventory of municipal land in order to identify suitable potential sites for affordable housing, in order that they can take these concerns into consideration in advance of making their recommendations to council.