Niagara Falls city council voted to look at helping group that works to reach homeless, group asking for $44,000 yearly
Niagara Falls city council has voted to look at funding REACH Niagara, a group that works to help the homeless, in next year's budget.
Many councillors at Tuesday's meeting pointed to a major problem... drug dealers targeting the homeless.
Executive Director of REACH Niagara Carolyn Dyer acknowledged it comes down to community partnerships. "How are we as partners being creative, and working better together to help those who do want to use [drugs] less. I think that's where we struggle, as we get them to a really good point, and then what... housing is a big part of that."
REACH is asking council for $44,000 annually through to 2027.
It works off grants and donations, and doesn't receive base funding.
Councillor Ruth Ann Nieuwesteeg recalled when she and emergency personnel tried to get a homeless person help. "They refused. And there's this mistrust that I did not understand at all, and they're absolutely fearful at the thought, and they would just wander off. I don't what happened in our hospital system that has made these people so fearful."
In a presentation, REACH showed it operates mobile units, and has a number of offices in Niagara to help people. It also revealed to council it helped a 33-year homeless person living in a tent in Niagara Falls, addicted to fentanyl, and a history of 50-plus overdoses in one year, turn their life around.
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