I've been homeless for almost a year. The politics of homelessness in this country is terrible. We are treated like cattle, not humans. There is no real mental and drug addiction assistance.

The situation at homeless shelters in Waterloo, Regional Municipality of Waterloo, ON, Canada needs immediate attention and reform. As someone who has experienced this firsthand, I can attest to the lack of oversight and inadequate support provided at these facilities.

In 2018 alone, it was reported that over 3,000 individuals were homeless in the Region of Waterloo (source: Region of Waterloo's Point-in-Time Homeless Count). This number includes those staying in emergency shelters or transitional housing units as well as those sleeping rough on the streets or other places not meant for human habitation.

Despite such high numbers needing support from these institutions, there is a shocking lack of regulation and oversight to ensure that these shelters provide safe and humane conditions for their residents. Moreover, there seems to be a significant gap when it comes to providing necessary mental health services and drug addiction assistance – two issues that are often intertwined with homelessness.

We need our local government to implement stronger regulations ensuring that all homeless shelters within our region meet certain standards regarding safety measures and treatment programs. It's time we stop treating people experiencing homelessness like cattle but rather as fellow human beings deserving respect and dignity.

Please sign this petition calling on our local authorities to implement stricter oversight on homeless shelters within the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Let's work together towards creating a safer environment for everyone living within our community.