The Owen Sound Sun Times e-edition

Homeless man released from jail needs housing, but it's complicated

SCOTT DUNN

Aaron Barber, a chronically homeless man who said he prefers to live outside, was released from custody at Owen Sound court after he pleaded guilty Tuesday to causing a disturbance at the hospital Nov. 30 and threatening a police officer Dec. 6 in the city.

Barber is one of about 100 known chronically homeless people in Grey County, though not all are necessarily living outside like he is.

Defence lawyer Elizabeth Barefoot stressed Barber, 27, needs stable housing, though he's proved difficult to house and support, despite there being a comprehensive plan created for him in 2020, which she said didn't address housing.

“The supports can only do so much if he doesn't have the stable housing,” she said. Another problem in getting him housed is “he can decline these services.”

His intellectual capacity is of an eight- or nine-year-old, he has learning difficulties and struggles with verbal comprehension, he's addicted to illicit drugs and has been hospitalized for overdosing, Barefoot said. Barber told the court he has quit using drugs.

In an interview with Barber after court, with his lawyer and Community Living support worker present, he said he still prefers to live outside.

“I like being homeless, 'cause it gives me an excuse to get money so I can give to my girlfriend, which, she's homeless.” He panhandles for money, which if he did while living in a residence, there would be grounds for eviction, he said.

“That's why I live on the street. Because I do what I want, whenever I want.”

He wouldn't leave the area for housing but said he would live in the Coach Inn. Then he was reminded he's no longer welcome there, after an incident.

Barefoot said Community Living helps him, when staff can find him. Other agencies have also tried to help but have not been able to provide the help he needs, Barefoot said.

He has family in Owen Sound but is of no fixed address. He's been kicked out of many residences due to intellectual and substance-abuse related challenges, Barefoot said.

“Hopefully your honour doesn't see Mr. Barber back but also doesn't see him in the news being one of these individuals who doesn't make it because he has almost died several times in the past year already,” Barefoot said.

Barefoot read from a February 2022 letter by a psychotherapist, Dr. Deborah Richards, in which she said Barber “is at a critically urgent state for intervention, he requires a full support team . . ."

It will be costly and take a longterm commitment, the doctor wrote, and that not addressing the drug problem could have a “fatal outcome.”

“But the question that needs to be asked is 'Should a young man, who by no cause of his own, and facing such complex needs, be provided intense and immediate supports that will enhance his quality of life, that proves a life worth living?”

Another letter, written in October by Jennifer Healey at Owen Sound hospital, notes Barber's frequent contacts with the health-care system and his wish to be readmitted to hospital, Barefoot read.

Healey wrote mental health staff can't locate him reliably to give him his medication, and that Barber's Community Living workers have provided him repeatedly with clothing, tarps and sleeping bags which have been lost or stolen.

A Community Living worker in the courtroom Thursday confirmed to the court that he brought those supplies and food again for Barber.

Prospects seemed to brighten for Barber when Barefoot noted she'd made contact with the housing programs manager at Grey County, Josh Gibson, and had received a text during the court hearing indicating an emergency motel stay could be offered.

However, there is a “service restriction” with them against Barber because he threatened and chased staff through a parking lot. The county's emergency housing program generally includes visits from support staff.

Justice Julia Morneau invited Barber to sit with his lawyer at the counsel table rather than sit shackled by the ankles in the prisoner's box. She confirmed the jail sent his coat back with him too. Tuesday's court was reserved for people with mental health problems.

During discussion of housing, Barber spoke up and told the judge he knows how to cook and “survive in the wild.” He said he planned to “get some rehab so I don't slip through the cracks.” He's quit doing drugs, he said.

Morneau told him a safer place is needed than living outside. She remarked the Public Guardian and Trustee needs to be involved to make decisions for him.

It is, Barfoot said, but it has indicated Community Living would house him upon his release from jail. Community Living says it cannot work out the housing situation, Barefoot said. For housing to work for him, he must live supported but alone or with one person only, she said.

Assistant Crown attorney James Rice noted it's not that there are no supports for Barber. “I think you would be hard pressed to find any social service agency who would tolerate threats against their staff.”

He and Barefoot recommended 12 months probation, which Justice Morneau imposed. “We don't want to see any harm come to you,” she told Barber.

“Unfortunately the criminal justice system is where you're at and I can't pick up a phone and find you housing.” She said the Community Living's support worker in the courtroom can. “We don't want you sleeping in the bush.”

Morneau suspended Barber's sentence, noted the 30 days he spent in presentence custody, and placed him on probation. He must keep the peace, report to probation and sign release-of-information forms to ensure he follows the order.

She couldn't order him to live in a specific place because he has no residence, she said. He must follow his probation officer's recommendations. He must have no firearms for five years and must provide a DNA sample.

Prospects looked a little brighter still after court, when a Canadian Mental Health Association court worker introduced herself to Barber, who seemed willing to sign papers letting her deal directly with his Community Living worker.

LOCAL

en-ca

2023-02-02T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-02T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://eeditionowensoundsuntimes.pressreader.com/article/281535115135672

Sun Media