LETTER: The heartbreaking transformation of our downtown

GuelphToday received the following letter about the homeless encampments and now a protest in the downtown area.

The GuelphToday article depicts (Greg) Dorval as a criminal, yet in the face of the persisting homelessness crisis in our downtown area, this action might be the only way to capture the attention of the local government.

The encampments downtown serve as a visual representation of the city’s lack of resources, services, policy reform, and affordable housing. As a born and raised Guelph resident, I’ve firsthand seen our vibrant, historic downtown core take a turn for the worse. Undoubtedly, Guelph has grown over the years and with growth comes social problems rooted in the urban environment, such as homelessness, crime, pollution, etc., However, the number of encampments is growing exponentially and making a mockery of the Places to Grow Act, 2005.

Not only do these emplacements violate Bill 252, the Housing is a Human Right Act, 2021, but they have turned the downtown core into an unsafe place, not only for the encampment residents but for the citizens of Guelph with the onset of multiple encampment fires.

If there isn't an improvement in our local services aimed towards breaking the vicious cycle of homelessness, I won’t be surprised if more protesters like Dorval appear in the coming months.

Alyssa Follo
Guelph