Ajax mayoral candidates share plans to tackle homelessness

Ajax's five mayoral candidates were asked what they would do as mayor to address rising homelessness in the town, and four of them responded to the Ajax News Advertiser's questionnaire ahead of the Oct. 26 municipal election.

Marilyn Crawford said she would push for more supportive and affordable housing, coordinate with Durham Region and community agencies, and keep advocating through Ontario Big City Mayors and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, where she has served as a director for two years.

Carion Fenn said she would strengthen partnerships with Durham Region, Durham Regional Police, service providers, faith groups and businesses, and seek provincial and federal funding, noting five years of charity work providing food and clothing. She criticized current and past councils, including Crawford and Ashmeed Khan, for not doing enough on the issue.

Richard Hinds said he would add shelter space plus mental-health and addiction supports, followed by job training leading to permanent housing, and said he would not wait on the province or federal government. He also wants a 'hard discussion' with other mayors about other municipalities 'busing in and unloading their unhoused into Ajax.'

Ashmeed Khan proposed transitional housing, mental-health and addiction services, accessible washrooms and showers, outreach, and measurable results with progress reports. Candidate Vian Persad did not respond. Online voting in Ajax runs Oct. 19-26.