Bell: People need homes, not insults

TORONTO – Ontario NDP Housing Critic Jessica Bell (University—Rosedale) joined housing providers and people with lived experiences to call on Premier Ford to solve the homelessness crisis and stop scolding the poor.

“It's time to build the homes people need and a government that’s ready to do that,” said Bell. “People deserve a Premier that has solutions to fix the housing and homelessness crisis, not one that hurls insults. But Ford's comments about vulnerable people are out of touch and harmful. Instead of scolding the poor, Premier Ford should solve Ontario’s homelessness crisis. People need homes, not insults,” said Bell.

“Hearing Doug Ford’s comments made me feel both aggravated and enraged,” said Jay, who lives in a tent in downtown Toronto, and has been looking for a shelter bed for six months.

“I know that once I am in a shelter, personally, I will be able to find a job. But in a tent situation – it’s nearly impossible,” he said.

“It made me sad, angry, and frustrated to hear Doug Ford claim that the province takes care of people with disabilities, who are unable to work,” said Asil Lavoie, who lives in a shelter hotel and struggles with Multiple Sclerosis. “Those that need support the most often feel abandoned. We are left to fend for ourselves,” said Lavoie. “I invite Ford to spend just one month living on the resources we have, facing our bills and challenges, and then come back to tell us how to live this life,” she said.

The Ontario NDP is calling for solutions to address the homelessness crisis, starting with participating in the new federal government program to combat homelessness, doubling social assistance rates, and building hundreds of thousands of non-market and affordable homes on public land.