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Gail Michalenko
Agency: Georgian Triangle Housing Resource Centre

After my accident my income was so low that I couldn't pay my gas bill. The gas company was threatening to cut off my gas. Staff at the Georgian Triangle Housing Resource Centre helped me apply for the Winter Warmth fund so that my gas wouldn't be cut off and offered me suggestions on other resources that might help me manage better until I could get back to work. Home Owner, Dawn Frederick, Collingwood

Jennifer Sylvester
Agency: East York East Toronto Housing Help Centre

I had a client that wanted to move out of Toronto. With the help of the Housing Help Association of Ontario, I was able to network with Hastings Housing Help to help my client find housing in the area of Bancroft. Such a great network to help housing workers in other areas of the province to see what is available in certain communities.

Joan Chamney
Agency: YMCA Housing Support Program

A housing worker met with a gentleman this month that had come to Owen Sound to move into an apartment that he had already secured. Once he arrived in Owen Sound the landlord simply said the apartment had been rented to someone else. The gentleman had nowhere to go and only had a small amount of money on him and nothing more until the end of the month. The Housing program helped this gentleman to secure temporary housing while helping him fill out applications for a subsided housing unit. The Housing worker also provided other resources such as information about the food bank as well as information about the few lunch programs in Owen Sound. This gentleman has since moved into his subsidized apartment and all is well.

Rob Cammaert
Agency: Community Care- Housing Help of St. Catharines and Thorold

I am working in St. Catharines (Niagara Region). There are many changes with the recession but the most obvious one that I have noticed is age. The shelters and our Housing Help Centre appear to be dealing with more individuals who are in their 50-60's or older than in the past. Many of these individuals have extensive work histories and are just having difficulty securing employment. It is common to hear from a client that he has not been on EI or social assistance since the early 1980's. Many of the "older" population that are new to the system are less savvy and need more hands on help. In addition, many of these clients have multiple issues, both social and medical, that are also manifesting itself at this time.

From a community perspective, some of our funding from the United Way has decreased, and many community partners are no longer able to serve their populations, leaving many of the people entering our door with very limited immediate options for proper service and housing. This essentially means that there is more stress on the entry point agencies like the Housing Help Centres, Food Banks, and Shelters, which are traditionally under staffed.