Jeff Schlemmer
@jeffschlemmer.bsky.social
Long-time poverty lawyer and anti-poverty activist. Past adjunct professor, Western University Faculty of Law.
My opinions are not necessarily those of my legal clinic.
My opinions are not necessarily those of my legal clinic.
Reposted by Jeff Schlemmer
Join me on Jan. 20 at the Reference Library for a celebration of the winning designs from the @westendphoenix.bsky.social + Maytree Canada un/SHELTERED design competition and a discussion with @alexbozikovic.bsky.social and Steve Teekins about our housing crisis: www.eventbrite.com/e/unsheltere...
January 10, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Join me on Jan. 20 at the Reference Library for a celebration of the winning designs from the @westendphoenix.bsky.social + Maytree Canada un/SHELTERED design competition and a discussion with @alexbozikovic.bsky.social and Steve Teekins about our housing crisis: www.eventbrite.com/e/unsheltere...
Reposted by Jeff Schlemmer
🧵The AMO has released a devastating report about the state of homelessness in Ontario, which gives us our most accurate figure of how many Ontarians are currently homeless: 81,515 — a 25% increase in two years — of whom 41,512 are chronically homeless. amo.on.ca/sites/defaul...
January 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
🧵The AMO has released a devastating report about the state of homelessness in Ontario, which gives us our most accurate figure of how many Ontarians are currently homeless: 81,515 — a 25% increase in two years — of whom 41,512 are chronically homeless. amo.on.ca/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Jeff Schlemmer
It’s a strange report. No geographic accounting of the numbers, only 6 footnotes and with all the pictures of tents feeds into media coverage of encampments as ‘the problem.’
@joannalavoie.bsky.social @lorrainelamchops.bsky.social @gruesomebrat.bsky.social @cathycrowe.bsky.social 😔More than 80,000 people in Ontario were homeless in 2024, new report finds www.cp24.com/news/canada/...
More than 80,000 people in Ontario were homeless in 2024, new report finds
www.cp24.com
January 10, 2025 at 1:46 AM
It’s a strange report. No geographic accounting of the numbers, only 6 footnotes and with all the pictures of tents feeds into media coverage of encampments as ‘the problem.’
Hamilton City staff have worked to sabotage the tiny cabin village from the beginning, when they outrageously claimed they cost $100k/yr per person to operate, when ABTC Kitchener does it for $13k. Somehow must get them to do their jobs.
Now on TPR
The latest in the ongoing City of Hamilton Microshelters Inc. fiasco.
The Made-in-China modular shelters arrived in North America on Boxing Day, according to United States customs data. #yhmcc #HamOnt
www.thepublicrecord.ca/2024/12/hami...
The latest in the ongoing City of Hamilton Microshelters Inc. fiasco.
The Made-in-China modular shelters arrived in North America on Boxing Day, according to United States customs data. #yhmcc #HamOnt
www.thepublicrecord.ca/2024/12/hami...
Hamilton's Made-in-China Tiny Shelters Arrived in California: US Customs Data
According to US Customs records, Hamilton's 'Indigenous-sourced' $1.4-million tiny shelters arrived in California on December 26.
www.thepublicrecord.ca
December 31, 2024 at 12:29 AM
Hamilton City staff have worked to sabotage the tiny cabin village from the beginning, when they outrageously claimed they cost $100k/yr per person to operate, when ABTC Kitchener does it for $13k. Somehow must get them to do their jobs.
Reposted by Jeff Schlemmer
This guy is a hero. Will @cityofto.bsky.social allow him to save lives? The last guy that did this they took to court.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Toronto man creates tiny mobile homes to help unhoused people escape the cold | CBC News
Tired of watching people sleeping outside in the cold, a Toronto man is building tiny mobile homes attached to bicycles to give temporary relief to those who are unhoused
www.cbc.ca
December 29, 2024 at 3:47 PM
This guy is a hero. Will @cityofto.bsky.social allow him to save lives? The last guy that did this they took to court.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Jeff Schlemmer
In a pre-Xmas bombshell, the Alberta gov't announces it will be bypassing Homeward Trust as its partner in #yeg for distributing funds for housing and homelessness. Some good, some bad to this, but why does this deeply weird gov't insist on controlling everything? #yegcc
December 20, 2024 at 7:44 PM
“Today’s announcement will provide vulnerable individuals who are living in encampments with safe, stable accommodations". Well, about 100 of them province-wide (what $50 million now builds). Mayors Carter and Ashe are easily encouraged. https://buff.ly/3VAXy5I @MayorKevinAshe @insauga
Provincial funding for housing, homeless prevention 'encouraging' news for Oshawa mayor | INdurham
Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter is “encouraged” by provincial legislation that will provide more than $75 million in homelessness prevention programs while giving municipalities and police new resources and…
buff.ly
December 13, 2024 at 2:45 AM
“Today’s announcement will provide vulnerable individuals who are living in encampments with safe, stable accommodations". Well, about 100 of them province-wide (what $50 million now builds). Mayors Carter and Ashe are easily encouraged. https://buff.ly/3VAXy5I @MayorKevinAshe @insauga
"From tents to jails: Advocates fear new Ontario legislation could worsen conditions for encampment residents." Only if it works as intended. Provides about $110/person for housing. @_victoriagibson@Diana_C_McNally
From tents to jails: Advocates fear new Ontario legislation could worsen conditions for encampment residents
'If they had $10,000, they would not be homeless,' says a prominent homeless sector worker.
buff.ly
December 13, 2024 at 1:45 AM
"From tents to jails: Advocates fear new Ontario legislation could worsen conditions for encampment residents." Only if it works as intended. Provides about $110/person for housing. @_victoriagibson@Diana_C_McNally
Today Premier Ford introduced legislation to crack down on encampments. "Enforcement alone will not effectively address encampments. Only provincial investments in housing, health and social services can truly address encampments.” Robin Jones, AMO President
Homelessness Encampments Legislation | AMO
Later today, the government will table bills to introduce the Safer Municipalities Act and the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act
buff.ly
December 13, 2024 at 1:28 AM
Today Premier Ford introduced legislation to crack down on encampments. "Enforcement alone will not effectively address encampments. Only provincial investments in housing, health and social services can truly address encampments.” Robin Jones, AMO President
“Today’s announcement will provide vulnerable individuals who are living in encampments with safe, stable accommodations". Well, about 100 of them province-wide (what $50 million now builds). Mayors Carter and Ashe are easily encouraged. https://buff.ly/3VAXy5I... see more
Provincial funding for housing, homeless prevention 'encouraging' news for Oshawa mayor | INdurham
Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter is “encouraged” by provincial legislation that will provide more than $75 million in homelessness prevention programs while giving municipalities and police new resources and…
buff.ly
December 13, 2024 at 1:15 AM
“Today’s announcement will provide vulnerable individuals who are living in encampments with safe, stable accommodations". Well, about 100 of them province-wide (what $50 million now builds). Mayors Carter and Ashe are easily encouraged. https://buff.ly/3VAXy5I... see more
Local advocacy groups concerned about plan to crack down on homeless encampments
Local advocacy groups concerned about plan to crack down on homeless encampments
The Ontario government introduced new legislation Thursday, that if passed, will provide municipalities and police with new tools to dismantle homeless encampments and crack down on illegal drug use…
buff.ly
December 13, 2024 at 12:45 AM
Local advocacy groups concerned about plan to crack down on homeless encampments
Reposted by Jeff Schlemmer
#Toronto announces massive shelter infrastructure direction with “home like” approach. If that means one person or couple to a BR then right on! Congrats to @cityoftoronto on this. @BravoDavenport @MayorOliviaChow #dignity #rightoshelter
December 11, 2024 at 7:57 PM
#Toronto announces massive shelter infrastructure direction with “home like” approach. If that means one person or couple to a BR then right on! Congrats to @cityoftoronto on this. @BravoDavenport @MayorOliviaChow #dignity #rightoshelter
Reposted by Jeff Schlemmer
What a good day and great end of the council year. Thanks to Guelph council for standing up for charter rights and freedoms, and not taking the bait from the province.
Great news! Guelph's Council voted to reject the use of the Notwithstanding Clause against homeless people. With Guelph's Mayor being among the original 15 who requested the Clause, Guelph's position has now been democratically flipped. Thank you, @caton.bsky.social for your motion!
December 11, 2024 at 6:19 PM
What a good day and great end of the council year. Thanks to Guelph council for standing up for charter rights and freedoms, and not taking the bait from the province.
CLOSER LOOK: Doug Ford has a plan to rid your community of encampments
CLOSER LOOK: Doug Ford has a plan to rid your community of encampments
In this new feature, Village Media journalists break down the details of a big story making headlines around the province. On today's episode: The end of homeless encampments?
buff.ly
December 11, 2024 at 12:10 PM
CLOSER LOOK: Doug Ford has a plan to rid your community of encampments
The removal of Vancouver’s tent cities and their impact on Vancouver’s homeless.
Encampment residents say decampment destroys their community.
Encampment residents say decampment destroys their community.
The removal of Vancouver’s tent cities and their impact on Vancouver’s homeless | BCIT News
CRAB Park’s encampment after park rangers erected fences on Nov. 7 (Zach Orobko / BCIT News)
buff.ly
December 11, 2024 at 11:00 AM
The removal of Vancouver’s tent cities and their impact on Vancouver’s homeless.
Encampment residents say decampment destroys their community.
Encampment residents say decampment destroys their community.
The Big City Mayors apparently sold the solvethecrisis.ca campaign for a promise from the Premier of unspecified future funding for shelters, tied to evicting encampments. Might be one dollar. Did they get a good deal which will solve their citizens' worsening crisis?
December 8, 2024 at 9:49 PM
The Big City Mayors apparently sold the solvethecrisis.ca campaign for a promise from the Premier of unspecified future funding for shelters, tied to evicting encampments. Might be one dollar. Did they get a good deal which will solve their citizens' worsening crisis?
“We had an individual in Brock Park in the city of Barrie. That individual was told the police would be coming and that individual moved on.”
Nuttall said he did not know where the man went."
Another success in Mayor Nuttall's world.
globalnews.ca/news/1090317...
Nuttall said he did not know where the man went."
Another success in Mayor Nuttall's world.
globalnews.ca/news/1090317...
Ford government preparing law to dismantle homeless encampments | Globalnews.ca
Doug Ford says new legislation is coming that will target homeless encampments across the province, and he's pledging to use the notwithstanding clause if necessary.
globalnews.ca
December 8, 2024 at 9:48 PM
“We had an individual in Brock Park in the city of Barrie. That individual was told the police would be coming and that individual moved on.”
Nuttall said he did not know where the man went."
Another success in Mayor Nuttall's world.
globalnews.ca/news/1090317...
Nuttall said he did not know where the man went."
Another success in Mayor Nuttall's world.
globalnews.ca/news/1090317...
"Housing Minister Calandra was asked if the legislation will lead to a repeat of the controversial clearing of encampments a few years ago where police clashed with protesters when evicting encampments by force."
"We want encampments gone" said Calandra.
www.innisfiltoday.ca/local-news/f...
"We want encampments gone" said Calandra.
www.innisfiltoday.ca/local-news/f...
Ford promises anti-encampment bill without notwithstanding clause
Premier has backed away from pre-emptively using the clause again but is still keeping it in his back pocket
www.innisfiltoday.ca
December 8, 2024 at 9:47 PM
"Housing Minister Calandra was asked if the legislation will lead to a repeat of the controversial clearing of encampments a few years ago where police clashed with protesters when evicting encampments by force."
"We want encampments gone" said Calandra.
www.innisfiltoday.ca/local-news/f...
"We want encampments gone" said Calandra.
www.innisfiltoday.ca/local-news/f...
“I just think it’s so un-Canadian to leave people out in a tent when there is [shelter] space available" said Mayor Dilkens. "The Canadian way would be to void their constitutional rights as Canadians and incarcerate them in shelters."
windsor.ctvnews.ca/fantastic-wi...
windsor.ctvnews.ca/fantastic-wi...
'Fantastic': Windsor’s mayor applauds premier for encampment response
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is pleased by the 'positive tone' from Premier Doug Ford in his response to a letter signed by a dozen mayors calling for new encampment measures — including the potential u...
windsor.ctvnews.ca
December 8, 2024 at 9:46 PM
“I just think it’s so un-Canadian to leave people out in a tent when there is [shelter] space available" said Mayor Dilkens. "The Canadian way would be to void their constitutional rights as Canadians and incarcerate them in shelters."
windsor.ctvnews.ca/fantastic-wi...
windsor.ctvnews.ca/fantastic-wi...
"‘We’ve let this go too long:’ Is Waterloo Region losing the battle against homelessness?
The Region of Waterloo warns we may triple the number of homeless people by 2028."
"Local taxes can’t solve this problem."
Same all over Ontario.
therecord.com/opinion/colu...
The Region of Waterloo warns we may triple the number of homeless people by 2028."
"Local taxes can’t solve this problem."
Same all over Ontario.
therecord.com/opinion/colu...
‘We’ve let this go too long:’ Is Waterloo Region losing the battle against homelessness?
The Region of Waterloo warns we may triple the number of homeless people by 2028. What can we do about that, Luisa D’Amato asks
therecord.com
December 8, 2024 at 9:44 PM
"‘We’ve let this go too long:’ Is Waterloo Region losing the battle against homelessness?
The Region of Waterloo warns we may triple the number of homeless people by 2028."
"Local taxes can’t solve this problem."
Same all over Ontario.
therecord.com/opinion/colu...
The Region of Waterloo warns we may triple the number of homeless people by 2028."
"Local taxes can’t solve this problem."
Same all over Ontario.
therecord.com/opinion/colu...
London's "whole of community" leadership in seriously trying to reduce homelessness continues to fade into the Premier's gathering mob rush to forced encampment evictions - the very absence of a serious attempt to address the crisis.
london.ctvnews.ca/homeless-enc...
london.ctvnews.ca/homeless-enc...
Homeless encampments buried in snow, city hall’s response falling short
The absence of a Winter Response to Homelessness this year means more Londoners endured this week’s snowstorm in tents and make-shift shelters.
london.ctvnews.ca
December 8, 2024 at 9:41 PM
London's "whole of community" leadership in seriously trying to reduce homelessness continues to fade into the Premier's gathering mob rush to forced encampment evictions - the very absence of a serious attempt to address the crisis.
london.ctvnews.ca/homeless-enc...
london.ctvnews.ca/homeless-enc...
"I give the mayors that signed the letter full credit because they put feet to the fire to get change and change is coming, I hope." Admirable optimism. Actually the Premier only said he'll tie shelter funding to evictions. Didn't say he'd fund much.
windsor.ctvnews.ca/homeless-enc...
windsor.ctvnews.ca/homeless-enc...
Homeless encampment returns to the chagrin of residents
Ashley Harrington's problem was solved for a short time, but then a homeless encampment returned behind her property.
windsor.ctvnews.ca
December 8, 2024 at 9:40 PM
"I give the mayors that signed the letter full credit because they put feet to the fire to get change and change is coming, I hope." Admirable optimism. Actually the Premier only said he'll tie shelter funding to evictions. Didn't say he'd fund much.
windsor.ctvnews.ca/homeless-enc...
windsor.ctvnews.ca/homeless-enc...
Walking downtown this morn. Lots of recently homeless citizens sleeping bereft of tent shelter. Where they go when the cities ban their tents from parks. Didn't incentivize them into shelters. Maybe we should ask them why? How bad will we let it get before funding some cheap housing for them?
December 8, 2024 at 9:38 PM
Walking downtown this morn. Lots of recently homeless citizens sleeping bereft of tent shelter. Where they go when the cities ban their tents from parks. Didn't incentivize them into shelters. Maybe we should ask them why? How bad will we let it get before funding some cheap housing for them?
"'We've let this go too long:' Is Waterloo Region losing the battle against homelessness?" "We" means Premier Ford. Only he has the ability to fund solutions, and to stop the ongoing increase (by increasing shelter allowances). www.newhamburgindependent.ca/opinion/colu...
‘We’ve let this go too long:’ Is Waterloo Region losing the battle against homelessness?
The Region of Waterloo warns we may triple the number of homeless people by 2028. What can we do about that, Luisa D’Amato asks
www.newhamburgindependent.ca
December 4, 2024 at 12:31 PM
"'We've let this go too long:' Is Waterloo Region losing the battle against homelessness?" "We" means Premier Ford. Only he has the ability to fund solutions, and to stop the ongoing increase (by increasing shelter allowances). www.newhamburgindependent.ca/opinion/colu...
"Growing concern for elderly homeless men in Toronto" Ontario's first social programs were for our elderly. As rents have increased over 100% over the past decade CPP/OAS/GIS has only increased by 26%. Seniors are now the biggest demographic entering shelters. globalnews.ca/video/109000...
Growing concern for elder homeless men in Toronto | Watch News Videos Online
Watch Growing concern for elder homeless men in Toronto Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
globalnews.ca
December 4, 2024 at 12:27 PM
"Growing concern for elderly homeless men in Toronto" Ontario's first social programs were for our elderly. As rents have increased over 100% over the past decade CPP/OAS/GIS has only increased by 26%. Seniors are now the biggest demographic entering shelters. globalnews.ca/video/109000...