This City Cut Homelessness by 30%—Here’s How

Most cities talk about ending homelessness. St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, is actually doing it. This year alone, they’ve reduced chronic homelessness by 30%—and in this episode, we sit down with Danielle Neilson, Manager of Housing Stability Services, to break down exactly how they’re making it happen.

From libraries offering safe sleep spaces to businesses stepping up, St. Thomas is proving that real solutions require a whole community. Danielle reveals how their low-barrier shelters, Housing First strategy, and Built for Zero Canada partnership are creating lasting change. Plus, she shares the biggest mistakes most cities make when addressing homelessness.

🔹 What’s working in St. Thomas—and why other cities should take notes
🔹 How political will and community buy-in are changing lives
🔹 The unexpected ways libraries, businesses, and police are stepping up
🔹 Why criminalization and NIMBY resistance are making things worse
🔹 The truth about “ending” vs. “functionally ending” homelessness

📺 WATCH on YouTube or 🎧 LISTEN wherever you get your podcasts to learn what every city should be doing to solve homelessness. This is an episode you can’t afford to miss!