Posted on: April 30, 2026, Posted by: Debbie Schatia, NewmarketToday, Original Article.
Last month, I wrote about the importance of moving from NIMBY (not in my backyard) to YIMBY (yes in my backyard). At its core, that conversation is about how we respond when housing insecurity and homelessness move from being something happening elsewhere to lived realities in our own communities.
This month, staying with that theme, I want to bring the discussion even closer to home to something we all experience.
If you walk through any town or city in York Region, you’ll notice the things many of us value deeply: familiar streets, local shops, and neighbours who nod or say hello. Increasingly, we’re also noticing more individuals experiencing homelessness, sleeping outdoors, in transit, or reaching out for help.
At Blue Door, we see this reality every day. Our Mosaic Out of the Cold program provides 90 individuals somewhere safe to sleep, who might otherwise be sleeping outside without a place to call home.
Homelessness is no longer something that happens “somewhere else,” and it is not as invisible as it once was. When we encounter it up close, it often stirs a mix of emotions: concern, discomfort, fear, compassion, and uncertainty.
If you’ve ever wondered, “What am I supposed to do?” you are definitely not alone.
A complex reality, close to home
Individuals can experience homelessness for many reasons. Job loss, rising rent, a health crisis, domestic violence, or a lack of affordable housing can push someone into instability faster than most expect.
Often, it’s not a single moment, but a series of setbacks, compounded by gaps in support, whether due to long wait lists or services that fall short. It can be easy to view homelessness as a personal failure, but it is a complex, systemic issue that shows up in deeply human ways, on the same streets where we live, work, and belong.
Our very human reactions
When we encounter an individual experiencing homelessness, our reactions are often instinctive, avoidance, discomfort, judgment, or even helplessness. We may look away, feel unsure of what to do, or question how someone ended up there. These responses are common. They’re human.
But they can also leave us wondering: Could I have responded differently?
Most of us were never taught how to respond to individuals facing hurt, hunger, and homelessness, and that uncertainty can keep us at a distance.
Why moving past our reactions matters
What often deepens the experience of homelessness is not just the lack of housing, but the feeling of being unseen, unwelcome, and disconnected. Our reactions, however unintentional, can reinforce that isolation.
Even small shifts in how we respond can help restore dignity and connection. Just as moving from NIMBY to YIMBY reflects shared responsibility for housing, everyday acts of compassion help build communities rooted in care and belonging.
What you can do
Small actions can make a meaningful difference:
- Acknowledge the person: a nod, eye contact, or a simple hello
- Use respectful, person-first language
- Hold boundaries with kindness when you can’t help
- Offer what feels right, whether it’s a coffee, spare change, or a listening ear
- Support broader solutions like community programs and affordable housing initiatives
In some places, like Paris, cafés have embraced this approach, welcoming individuals experiencing homelessness to warm up, use facilities, or receive a prepaid coffee without judgment. These small gestures have helped foster dignity, connection, and a stronger sense of community for everyone involved.
About safety and compassion
Feelings of fear are normal and common reactions, especially when we don’t know what else to do. In terms of safety, the likelihood is the person experiencing homelessness is more likely to be harmed than to cause harm.
Trust your instincts and remember a little compassion goes a long way, especially when more of us practise these small suggestions every day.
A shared role in the community we’re building
Homelessness is often framed as an issue for governments or charities to solve. While their role is critical, so is ours. How we speak about homelessness, how we respond in public spaces, and how we support inclusive solutions all shape York Region. Moving from NIMBY to YIMBY isn’t just about housing development. It’s also about how we support one another when vulnerability shows up close to home.
The next time you pass someone experiencing homelessness or asking for help, remember they are someone’s child, sibling, parent, or friend. They are navigating circumstances and life experiences most of us hope never to face.
Responding with humanity doesn’t require grand gestures. Sometimes, it begins with something as simple, and as powerful, as seeing the person in front of you.