This article is featured in The Hometown Edition, a special series broadcast on CBC Radio’s As It Happens from Nov. 3-7, highlighting the challenges and successes of small towns in Canada. Click here to discover more about the developments in St. Thomas, Ont.
During her time as a homeless individual in St. Thomas, Ont., Sara Pepper recalls the lack of assistance and understanding in the community. Pepper shared with As It Happens host Nil KÓ§ksal that homelessness was not well-supported in the area.
She mentioned, “It wasn’t the place to be homeless, that’s for sure. There weren’t many opportunities for support, services were limited, and the social stigma surrounding homelessness was prevalent.”
However, through St. Thomas’s proactive efforts to combat chronic homelessness, Pepper now enjoys stable accommodation and a secure place to rest each night as she rebuilds her life.
The town’s ambitious objective is to eliminate long-term homelessness in St. Thomas within two years.
St. Thomas, situated in southwestern Ontario with a population of around 46,000, relied heavily on the local Ford plant until its closure in 2011.
Similar to many other Canadian communities, St. Thomas has been grappling with a housing shortage, the opioid crisis, and a surge in homelessness.
Mayor Joe Preston, once troubled by these issues, now expresses optimism due to the forthcoming Volkswagen electric battery plant and the successful anti-homelessness initiatives in the town.
Preston stated, “We’re making progress. We’re advancing and addressing challenges proactively. We’re resolving an issue ahead of numerous other Canadian cities.”