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Canadian Press writes about Soo's 'couch surfers'

A recent report claiming that nearly 20 percent of Saultites could be considered homeless has just received national attention.
CanadianPress

A recent report claiming that nearly 20 percent of Saultites could be considered homeless has just received national attention.

A Canadian Press article about the formation of a new provincial homelessness network begins by announcing that "in Sault Ste. Marie, they couch surf or crowd into small apartments."

The article describes the findings of the Building an Extraordinary Community Social Services Solution Council that almost one out of five Saultites could be considered "hidden homeless" because they crash on friends' couches or are crammed into substandard housing.

"In Sault Ste. Marie, supply of housing is not the problem," the wire service quotes Beth Dubeault of the Sault District Justice Coalition.

"It's that people can't afford it," Dubeault said.

According to the article, 40 social workers attended a two-day conference on the issue in Toronto, and then formed the Housing and Homelessness Network in Ontario.

The network's goal is to raise awareness of homelessness before the next provincial election.

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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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