Annette Pedlar Calls for Increased Homelessness Funding in Owen Sound

Executive director of Safe N Sound Annette Pedlar is calling for increased funding and systemic capacity to address visible homelessness in Owen Sound. Pedlar argues that the current crisis is caused by a gap between community needs and the resources available to local governments, emergency services, and healthcare providers.

To illustrate the demand for services, Pedlar cited a five-month pilot of the Safe N Sound Neighbourhood Response Team conducted from November 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. The pilot resulted in 1,639 community interactions and over 2,200 supports provided in the downtown core. Additionally, Safe N Sound provided more than 6,000 overnight stays over the past winter.

Pedlar rejects the idea that existing solutions have failed, stating instead that they lack the scale required to be effective. She advocates for a comprehensive system that integrates addiction treatment, healthcare, and housing. She pointed to the Brightshore Wellness Center and the M’Wikwedong rent supplement program as examples of the long-term solutions necessary to resolve the crisis.