Media Release - Greater Napanee to Request a More Comprehensive Housing Strategy at Summit

September 8, 2025

(GREATER NAPANEE, ON) – Greater Napanee’s Mayor is requesting that the committee of Prince Edward-Lennox & Addington Social Services (PELASS) put the need for a more comprehensive housing and homelessness strategy on the agenda for their upcoming housing summit. 

The request follows a recent resolution by Town Council, which asked the County of Lennox and Addington, provincially mandated to oversee affordable housing and homelessness services in Greater Napanee, to consult with the public and develop a more comprehensive strategy. 

The strategy, required under Ontario’s Housing Services Act, should also help Greater Napanee residents understand the goals and efforts of housing authorities related to affordable housing and homelessness, and include regular reporting to the public.

The County serves as the housing services manager under the Housing Services Act and is responsible for managing affordable housing and homelessness in Lennox & Addington and Prince Edward counties. PELASS is accountable for delivering these services to both counties.

“Over the past few years, members of Greater Napanee Town Council have continued to receive phone calls from residents seeking clarity on the efforts to address the housing crisis playing out in their streets and in their parks,” said Mayor Richardson. “I can confirm that the residents of Greater Napanee do not feel heard, they do not feel consulted, they are not confident there is a real plan in place, and they are out of patience.”

“As Mayor of Greater Napanee, I believe that the County of Lennox and Addington and PELASS must have a public dialogue on homelessness and encampments, and there needs be a plan that has clear, measurable goals in place.”

Last week, Mayor Richardson formally asked PELASS to include the need for a comprehensive plan on the agenda of its upcoming housing summit scheduled for October 1. 

Greater Napanee is specifically seeking:

• A commitment to develop a comprehensive housing and homelessness plan, as required by Ontario’s Housing Services Act.
•  A comprehensive public consultation conducted by the County of Lennox and Addington across the various communities impacted.
• A commitment to engage in more public communication and reporting on the efforts being undertaken and what is being achieved.

"I want to thank the PELASS Committee, and particularly its chair, for having the foresight to start government-to-government discussions on these critical issues," said Mayor Richardson. “I believe this issue needs leadership at the highest levels and requires more participation from politicians and less participation from lawyers.”

The PELASS Housing Summit will involve all four lower tiers of the County of Lennox and Addington, the County Government, and representatives from the municipality of Prince Edward County, and will involve elected officials and staff.

The PELASS committee voted in favour of a housing summit at their meeting in June. The meeting can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hyZecdggZ0.

Media Contact: 

Kylie Huffman  

Community Engagement & Communications Coordinator  

Town of Greater Napanee 

T: 613-776-1116 

E: khuffman@greaternapanee.com  

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