Area elected officials are joining forces with community organizations working with those experiencing homelessness to denounce imminent cuts to the federal government’s Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative (UHEI).
In a joint press release, Beauharnois-Salaberry-Soulanges-Huntingdon MP Claude DeBellefeuille joined Salaberry-de-Valleyfield mayor Miguel Lemieux, Beauharnois mayor Alain Dubuc, and Marilou Carrier, the director of the Maison d’Hébergement et de Dépannage de Valleyfield (MHDV), as well as representatives of community organizations L’Aiguillage and Pacte de Rue in speaking out against the recently announced cuts that will deprive Quebec community organizations of $25 million in funding as of April 1.
“The UHEI makes it possible to intervene where the needs are most urgent. Without this funding, essential services will disappear, teams will become exhausted, and people will find themselves without solutions,” said Carrier, whose shelter and emergency assistance centre supports those in need in the Beauharnois-Salaberry and Haut-Saint-Laurent region.
“We can’t talk about fighting homelessness by cutting the resources from those who manage it on a daily basis,” she lamented.
Within the Beauharnois-Salaberry-Soulanges-Huntingdon riding, these cuts represent a funding shortfall of $267,000. “This is simply unacceptable given the current crisis and the pressure these organizations and municipalities are under to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness,” said DeBellefeuille.
The cuts will have negative impact on services for vulnerable communities, including access to warming centres, the provision of basic supplies, personalized mental health support, and housing and transition services.
“As the homelessness crisis grows across Canada, the federal government has chosen the worst possible moment to abdicate from its responsibilities,” said Lemieux, who stood with Carrier during the inauguration of the MHDV’s new day centre in December.
Dubuc explained that “Community organizations are essential partners in preventing and responding to homelessness,” before noting the housing crisis should be bringing governments and organizations together.
“The time has come to respect human dignity and the mission of community organizations, which represent true social safety nets and partners in a range of resources,” said DeBellefeuille.
According to the elected officials, the coming weeks will be punctuated with facts and events to remind residents that governments must act with compassion and cooperation. Together, they have called on the federal government to review its decision and renew the funding as requested by local organizations. (SR)