St. Catharines mayor raises alarm bell over homelessness crisis

St. Catharines mayor Mat Siscoe is raising the alarm bell on the state of homelessness in the city, and across the wider Ontario area.

He is part of a coalition of big city mayors who are calling on the provincial and federal governments to introduce a new minister dedicated to tackling the homelessness crisis.

The city of St. Catharines already spends an estimated $4 million on the “downstream” effects of encampments, such as clean up crews and EMS calls.

Niagara region MPPs are taking Siscoe’s side, adding to the calls for a new minister.

This comes after the “Solve the Crisis” campaign was launched earlier this month, encouraging local businesses and residents to share their frustration with the government through a form on their website.

In a statement to CHCH News, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing says they are making “historic investments” into the enhancement of community and supportive housing.

READ MORE: Mayors say homelessness a ‘humanitarian crisis’, ask province to help