How is homelessness changing in Lanark County?

Homelessness has been increasing in Lanark County and across Ontario, particularly in rural Ontario. It is evolving, with visible homelessness becoming more apparent.

Homelessness can look like many things for people. It can mean ...living in an emergency shelter or temporary accommodation, such as couch surfing with friends or family. It can happen when someone leaves a correctional facility, hospital or the child welfare system and has nowhere to go. It can result from job loss or a job that doesn’t pay quite enough, divorce, domestic violence, illness or an unexpected large expense. It can mean living in a makeshift shelter, such as a car, trailer or encampment, or having no shelter at all.

In a “State of Homelessness” report to Lanark County Council in May, Director of Social Services Emily Hollington said from 2021 up to May 2026, 800 people have registered with the county’s By-Name List for homelessness, which is a real-time list that helps to identify those most vulnerable and track progress toward permanent, sustainable housing. A committee consisting of numerous community partners works to connect people to supports through a coordinated access system.

Learn more about what homelessness looks like in Lanark County in the first article of this three-part series: https://www.lanarkcounty.ca/living/social-services/homelessness/#1750959335112-9ca9ce1f-d332

Power outages can be caused by severe summer weather, such as flooding, extreme heat and thunderstorms.

Whether you’re without power for minutes, hours, or days – stay safe with the tips below:
• Keep your emergency preparedness kit stocked.
• Stay informed. Staying ...connected is vital to staying safe.
• Stay food safe. Keep refrigerator doors closed during outages to preserve food.
• Never use charcoal or gas barbeques, camping stoves, or generators indoors.
• Know when to go. If your home gets too cold or too hot and you are able to leave, head to an alternative location until it is safe to return.

Find all the information that you need on preparing for storms and the work that Hydro One does to restore power safely at https://www.hydroone.com/power-outages-and-safety

Update on 5-Arches Bridge Work

Lanark County Public Works reports masons have nearly completed the installation of the wall stones and work is currently underway on the cap stones. Construction of the approaches to the bridge, including grading, drainage improvements and electrical work, ...is scheduled to begin next week.

A full closure of the public park is anticipated in approximately two weeks for one day to facilitate the installation of an electrical conduit beneath the park entrance. Advance notice will be provided to the public and digital signage will be installed to communicate the closure ahead of time.

The project completion date of November remains unchanged; however, Public Works remains confident the project can be completed ahead of schedule, weather permitting.

For more info about the project, including a live feed, visit https://www.lanarkcounty.ca/government/roads-trails-transit/pwprojects/#fivearches