City advisory group aims to make downtown safer, more welcoming

The group is looking at priorities related to supportive housing improvements, more access to services, safety and advocating for more government funding

2020 05 26 GT – Rooted Downtown Guelph 15 Wyndham Street – TB 15(1)

15 Wyndham Street as it enters the downtown core. Troy Bridgeman/GuelphToday

A new group is leading the charge on a strategy for a safer and more welcoming downtown Guelph.

The Strategic Advisory Group – co-chaired by Mayor Cam Guthrie and Shakiba Shayani, the president and CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce – was endorsed by council in July, and is a subcommittee of the mayor's task force on homelessness and community safety.

It looks at six priorities: "accelerating permanent supportive housing, expanding daytime and overnight services and facilities, enhancing safety, strengthening resilience and prevention, making service changes for acute needs, and advocating for policy and system change (including funding from upper levels of government)."

“In our first meeting (Sept. 19), we agreed on six priorities that will help ensure our downtown continues to be a thriving place where everyone feels welcome and safe," Guthrie said in a news release.

"Work is currently underway to put those priorities into action. We will be reporting publicly on our progress every step of the way."

The group will meet in October to go over operational plans.