‘It’s a non-solution’: Windsor’s Street Help speaks out against panhandling signs

Street Help in Windsor wants the city to focus on improving housing, rather than installing signs to discourage panhandling.

The head of Windsor’s Street Help is speaking out against signs deterring panhandling that were approved Monday by Windsor council. The motion asks staff to identify priority locations and install signs that discourage drivers from giving money to panhandlers.

The signs will rather ask residents to donate to community supports.

Christine Wilson-Furlonger told CTV News that resources have to focus on improving access to housing instead.

“If you see that person out there suffering and cold and hungry and you want to give your money directly to that person, that’s your choice,” said Wilson-Furlonger.

“I respect that. We should all respect that and the fact that we can’t silence people and say, ‘we’re going to end this problem with this solution’, because it’s a non-solution.”