Housing and Homelessness

Like communities elsewhere in Niagara and the province, the effects of this crisis are visible in the city of St. Catharines.

As a lower tier municipality, the City of St. Catharines is not directly involved in housing and homelessness services like other single tier municipalities in the province. The Niagara Region, however, does provide a full array of programs and services relating to housing and homelessness.

People concerned about encampments or unsheltered homeless should call 211 to connect with the Niagara Assertive Street Outreach (NASO) who actively engages with individuals who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness across the entire Niagara region. Outreach workers help to transition individuals to safer and more appropriate accommodations. Unsheltered homeless individuals can also call 211 to be connected with supports.

The City supports those efforts, where possible, by assisting and working with agencies directly involved in housing and homelessness, encouraging the creation of affordable housing, and ensuring safe public spaces for all.

Encampments and Support Agencies

The City is committed to ensuring individuals living rough receive the support they need while ensuring public spaces remain safe and accessible for all.

Through the Niagara Region, the City has arranged a partnership with outreach workers known as Niagara Assertive Street Outreach (NASO) who actively engages with individuals who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness across the entire Niagara region. Outreach workers help them transition to safer, more humane, and appropriate accommodations.

An encampment site is only scheduled to be cleaned once everyone at that location has been assessed; offered safe and appropriate indoor space, when available; and notice has been provided to give people time to collect their belongings.

Encouraging Affordable Housing Supply

The City of St. Catharines has been encouraging affordable housing within the community in various ways. Below is a summary of some initiatives that have been put in place

The City’s Zoning Bylaw and Official Plan support intensification within the urban boundary, seek a balance in housing tenure and a mix of housing types thereby increasing the supply of affordable housing for low to moderate income households. The Official Plan sets a target of 30% of all new housing units constructed over the long term to consist of affordable housing units.
Affordable housing is one of the four pillars of the City’s Community Improvement Plan (2020CIP). Financial incentives are evaluated, in part, based on the percentage of affordable units to be built. Additionally, projects that include a minimum 30% affordable rental dwelling units are eligible for a greater incentive rebate.
In 2017, the City of St. Catharines began moving forward with a Housing Action Plan. Council received a detailed report with 41 potential policy tools and actions the City can use to support affordable housing.
Annually, City officials attend the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) conference where opportunities exist to meet with Ontario Ministers to discuss challenges that municipalities are facing. For the past several years, the City has been advocating to the Provincial Government for more support around affordable housing, addiction and mental health.

Support Local Agencies

Residents can help the local homeless or social support agencies in the community – consider donating or volunteering.

Gateway of Niagara

The Salvation Army

YWCA

Southridge Community Church and Shelter

RAFT

Community Care

Pathstone Mental Health

CASON

Positive Living Niagara

Start Me Up Niagara

How can I help?

Connect with the right agencies and support services.

If you see an encampment or individual needing housing support, call 211 to get connected with a NASO outreach team.

Learn More

Niagara Region Housing and Homelessness

Niagara Region’s Housing and Homelessness Action Plan (HHAP)

Niagara Assertive Street Outreach team

Niagara 211

For a full list of housing and homelessness resources available in Niagara, call 211 or visit INCommunities

View the City of St. Catharines Housing Action Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are encampments?

Temporary structures or enclosed places that are not intended for long-term occupancy such as tents, shanties, and tarps which are constructed by its inhabitants.

Why are encampments being removed?

The goal is to help connect individuals living in the rough with outreach workers and the appropriate support services and programs as encampments are generally not a safe or secure place for individuals to reside. Encampments can create an environment for unsafe activity and health concerns including, but not limited to, increased risk for infectious and transmissible disease; fire hazards; limited access to nutritious food; and a lack of medical care.

I am concerned about an encampment near my property or in a park I visit. What should I do?

The process is simple:

Call 211
Ask to be directed to Niagara Assertive Street Outreach (NASO)
Leave a Voicemail with the following details

Reason for calling (i.e. I’m calling to report an encampment or someone living rough)
Location of individuals (including address, intersection and landmarks)
Description of individuals (if available)
General concerns
A name and number that you can be reached at incase NASO has more questions

211 will transfer your call to a voicemail box that is immediately dispatched to the team to coordinate and action appropriately. Messages can be left 24 hours a day, seven days a week

What does Niagara Assertive Street Outreach (NASO) do to assist?

NASO is an evidence-based, housing-focused program within the Niagara Region which:

Engages with people living in the rough to create pathways into housing
Provides standardized intake, triage and assessment to measure a person's vulnerability and help to identify appropriate housing resources
Minimizes the harmful effects of rough sleeping while working towards long-term housing solutions
Delivers case coordination along with government and non-profit organizations to support those who may be reluctant to use traditional services
Provides an intensive and coordinated team approach to identify and work towards personal goals

I feel unsafe when I see encampments and individuals living rough in my community, what do I do?

Individuals living rough or in encampments are part of our community and the goal is to connect individuals with the appropriate support services. If you witness people living rough, please call 211.

I have witnessed illegal activity. What should I do?

If your incident is an emergency, call 911.

To report a crime, please contact the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) at 905.688.4111 or the toll-free number is 1.888.668.3911.

What happens after calling 211 to report an encampment?

Trained Outreach workers from NASO attend the encampment site and respond directly to an individual’s unique needs by bringing coordinated services from across the Homeless-Serving System to the individual. Outreach workers help them transition to safer and appropriate accommodations.

An encampment has not been removed as quickly as I expected. Why is this?

City staff work closely with NASO (Niagara Assertive Street Outreach) to ensure the unique needs of each individual living rough are being evaluated. No situation or individual are the same. Some individuals are more receptive to services than others and under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, individuals have the right to refuse services.

Time and patience are required to:

Build relationships and trust between individuals living rough and outreach workers
Find a proper shelter our housing solution that meets the needs of individuals (i.e. youth, women, families, addiction services)
Notify individuals that cleanup efforts will be taking place

Additionally, not all encampments are on City property. Some encampments are on private property such as Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Ministry of Transportation (MTO) or vacant land which require coordination with landowners. Private landowners must arrange for removal and cleanup of encampments on their property.

I have seen someone in serious medical distress. What should I do?

Please call 911 so that emergency medical attention can be dispatched.

What else is the City doing to address housing and homelessness in St. Catharines?

It is important to note that, as a lower tier municipality, the City of St. Catharines is not directly involved in housing and homelessness services, and it is difficult for the City to provide meaningful support without the authority, skills and resources.

The Niagara Region offers a full array of programs and services related to housing and homelessness.

The City of St. Catharines supports those efforts by encouraging the creation of affordable housing, assisting agencies providing direct services related to housing and homelessness, and ensuring safe public spaces for all.