BRAMPTON, ON (March 3, 2022) – The City of Brampton continues to take steps to improve its downtown with the launch of the 12-month Welcoming Streets Pilot Program for Downtown Brampton.
The Welcoming Streets Pilot Program aims to provide targeted street outreach services to individuals in Downtown Brampton, addressing the needs of local residents and businesses and helping to improve safety.
Through the program, “Welcoming Streets Leaders” will support Downtown Brampton businesses. Leaders will respond to requests for assistance with situations that do not require the help of Peel Regional Police such as individuals in distress, engage and build relationships with individuals living in the downtown, and refer those in need to support services they might require. The Leaders will be located in the Downtown Brampton Projects Centre located on the ground floor of City Hall, 2 Wellington Street West.
According to the Region of Peel, there were 4,566 people experiencing homelessness in Peel in 2020. In June 2021, the Region of Peel approved $250,000 in funding for the program, a partnership between the City and the Region of Peel, and supported by the Downtown Brampton BIA, Peel Regional Police, Regeneration Outreach Community and Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin.
To learn more about the Welcoming Streets Pilot Program, visit brampton.ca/downtownbrampton.
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“Together with our partners, we continue to make great strides in improving our Downtown so that it is a safe, inclusive and thriving space for our businesses and residents. The Welcoming Streets Pilot Program will be a great support for our local residents and businesses located in the downtown. We look forward to seeing the results of this 12-month pilot.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“Our Downtown Brampton businesses have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the City is supporting them in every way we can as they work towards recovery. By improving opportunities to create safer and healthier public spaces, we will make our downtown more welcoming for all. Thank you to our partners for supporting us with the Welcoming Streets Pilot Program.”
- Martin Medeiros, Regional Councillor, Wards 3 & 4, Chair, Economic Development, City of Brampton
“Public safety is essential for a welcoming, thriving downtown, and the City is dedicated to working with our businesses and residents to address safety-related concerns. Together with our partners, we are excited to deliver the Welcoming Streets Pilot Program and evaluate the results in twelve months’ time.”
- Paul Vicente, Regional Councillor, Wards 1&5; Vice-Chair, Economic Development, City of Brampton
“At the City, we are committed to transforming our downtown so that our businesses can thrive and our residents have enhanced public spaces to live, work and play. Safety plays a key role in this, and the Welcoming Streets Pilot Program will help us respond to related concerns and support residents living in the area.”
- Richard Forward, Commissioner, Planning, Building and Economic Development, City of Brampton
“The Welcoming Streets Pilot Program is the result of great collaboration. I’m pleased to support the launch of this pilot in Brampton, to ensure the downtown is a more welcoming place for residents and businesses.”
- Nando Iannicca, Region of Peel, Regional Chair
“Peel Regional Police are pleased to support the launch of the Welcoming Streets Program. We have advocated for upstream approaches to help alleviate non-urgent interactions with those in crisis and in need of support services, and this pilot project by the City of Brampton and the Region of Peel is an excellent example of one of those approaches. We look forward to working with our partners to enhance the welcoming atmosphere of Downtown Brampton.”
- Nishan Duraiappah, Chief of Police, Peel Regional Police
“The Downtown Brampton BIA is excited to see the Welcoming Streets Pilot Program come to life. This program will provide a great support for our businesses, and help to make Downtown Brampton a safer and inclusive place for all to enjoy.”
- Suzy Godefroy, Executive Director, Downtown Brampton Business Improvement Area (BIA)
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