The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) says the ‘status quo is no longer acceptable’ when it comes to dealing with homelessness. FONOM says northern communities are at the breaking point and they’re ready to work with provincial and federal governments on real, practical solutions. They’re calling for legislative reform provincially after new provincial data showing homelessness is growing fastest—and most severely—in Northern Ontario. New figures released by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) show homelessness grew by more than 37% in Northern Ontario in just one year, compared to 7.8 per cent provincially. “Homelessness is no longer just a social issue; it is an economic and community sustainability issue for Northern Ontario,” he says.