Chatham-Kent Needs to Measure Whether We Are Actually Solving Homelessness

Fellow Residents,

Homelessness is one of the most serious challenges facing Chatham-Kent, and I believe we need to change how we measure our response.

We cannot measure success by the number of meetings held, referrals made or temporary placements provided.

We need to measure whether people are getting into stable housing and staying there.

That is why, as Mayor, I will make measurable results and public accountability central to our approach to homelessness.

Establishing the Baseline

Within my first 100 days, I will work with municipal staff and community partners to establish a privacy-protected baseline for homelessness in Chatham-Kent.

We need to know how many people are entering homelessness, how many are being successfully housed, how long they remain housed, how many return to homelessness, and where the biggest gaps in services exist.

We cannot determine whether something is working if we do not know where we started.

Home First CK

I will propose Home First CK, a rapid-rehousing and homelessness-prevention pathway that brings landlords, housing providers, support agencies and government together around one objective: getting people into stable housing and helping them remain there.

This could include housing searches, rent supplements, deposits, move-in assistance, mediation and stabilization supports.

Most importantly, we will measure six- and twelve-month housing retention, returns to homelessness and the cost of achieving a durable housing outcome.

If something works, we should expand it. If it does not, we should change it.

More Affordable Housing

Solving homelessness also requires more affordable housing.

I will push to accelerate Chatham-Kent's existing housing commitments and create a transparent pipeline of municipal and partner-owned land for housing.

I will also support long-term affordability agreements and, where financially and practically appropriate, propose a Housing Acquisition and Preservation Fund to protect existing affordable rental housing.

Housing projects should be measured from announcement to occupancy. Residents deserve to know what has been funded, what is under construction, what has been delayed and what has actually resulted in homes.

Homelessness Has More Than One Cause

There is no single cause of homelessness and no single solution.

We need to address housing affordability while recognizing the roles that mental health, addictions, income and employment can play.

Triage is important, but so is the overall growth of our economy.

A stronger economy creates jobs, opportunity and a pathway toward independence.

Chatham-Kent also cannot create provincial treatment capacity on its own. As Mayor, I will make sure the Municipality does its part while advocating strongly to the provincial and federal governments for the resources our community needs.

Measure the Results

My commitment is straightforward:

Set the baseline. Set the target. Fund the plan. Measure the result. Correct course when necessary.

By the end of 2028, residents should be able to see whether our approach is producing better outcomes.

I am not promising that homelessness will disappear overnight.

I am promising that we will know whether or not what we are doing is working.

I am running for Mayor because I believe Chatham-Kent needs a government that does not just announce plans. It delivers them, measures them and takes responsibility for the results.

Homelessness deserves nothing less.

— Randy Hope