Newmarket’s downtown business owners are expressing concern about the impact of homelessness in the area.
The issue became a significant talking point during the downtown BIA annual general meeting Nov. 25. Members recounted some negative encounters with seemingly homeless individuals, and chair Tom Hempen confirmed that officials have met to increase police presence in the area.
“There’s more of them now,” BIA board member Michael D'Angelo said. “It is bad for business. You can’t have people that are getting in other people’s faces.”
Homelessness is considered on the rise in Newmarket, York Region and Ontario. Last year, York Region projected the homeless population to increase from 1,300 to 2,000 over five years. Region staff have also said there’s a 46 per cent increase in staff team visiting encampments in 2024 over 2023.
Hempen said it is not a simple issue to address. While Hempen said they cannot force people to move, they can try to have conversations with people in need of assistance.
Police and workers are looking to “just have a conversation with them and just say ‘Hey, how can we help you?’” Hempen said. “There’s been a real effort, a stronger police presence that was initiated.”
But one area of focus is the Newmarket Food Pantry Community Fridge, stationed by the Newmarket Public Library. The area has been known to garner crowds of less-fortunate people.
“The whole food bank by the library, that’s awesome. But it’s drawing,” BIA board member Allan Cockburn said. “The end goal is great. People need to eat. People have a had time, people have mental disabilities, they don’t know how to fend for themselves.”
He added that some are finding nearby places by the fridge to squat.
“I don’t know what the solution is,” Cockburn said. “I find it very frustrating.”
Hempen said when the fridge idea was brought forward initially, there were discussions about occasionally moving it.
“It was put there to provide that service,” Hempen said. “That discussion, that it would be moved around to give service to other people … Let’s see what happens there.”
Hempen said homelessness is a wider issue across many communities, but added that Newmarket’s downtown being desirable is a factor.
“Hopefully, we can all do more and help more, and help those people and improve the situation,” Hempen said.
Newmarket Coun. Bob Kwapis said it's a complex problem that all levels of government are trying to address.
“I don’t want to put out the bad news, but I don’t think it’s going to diminish in the next couple of years or so,” he said.
Kwapis said he excitement about the upcoming mental health hub to be built in Newmarket on Yonge Street.
“That’s a very good start,” Kwapis said. “But we all have to somehow manage it.”
