Homelessness in Caledon
"Helping the Homeless Help Themselves" is an initiaitve of Caledon Community Services designed to engage the community in finding solutions for people who are homeless, facing homelessness, experiencing precarious housing or are facing barriers in their search to secure permanent affordable housing in Caledon. Our goal is to reach out to Caledon's vulnerable or otherwise marginalized in an empowerment-based capacity-building way. Further, CCS wants to understand how homelessness is experienced in Caledon, a rural and expansive community, oft thought to be predominantly affluent.
This important initiative is being driven by a community Cabinet of volunteers from faith communities, business, the regional and municipal governments, academia, nursing and various Caledon residents.
Homelessness in Caledon is best understood through the eyes of those living it. And, as well requires, adequate, affordable housing; supports to secure adequate income to meet individual and family needs; supports for physical and psychosocial health, and help to recover from extended periods of being homeless.
Research and community consultations are under way in order to best understand the face of homelessness in Caledon. Service-providers, faith leaders, and a myriad of community members are being brought together in order to get a 'snap shot' understanding of this complex issue. Further, funding proposals are in the midst of being drafted to ensure that our eventual strategic plan is sustainable.
The Steering Committee's early goals for this project include the following:
- - Increased awareness amongst low income and otherwise marginalized individuals/families regarding Caledon homelessness initiatives.
- - Increased access to housing options through the development of a housing registry.
- - Development of a community-based, multi-disciplinary Advisory Cabinet whose mandate is to raise awareness of homelessness in Caledon and explore possibilities of alternative, affordable and transitional housing options for residents of Caledon.
- - Increased awareness amongst community members of the complexities in developing an effective response to homelessness in Caledon and of the barriers low income and otherwise marginalized individuals/families face who are homeless or marginally housed.
A Home in the Hills:
A Beginning Look at Homelessness
and Precarious Housing in Caledon, Ontario
Dr. C. van Daalen-Smith © 
