Vision 2050 Report Part 4: What Residents Say Owen Sound Needs to Face
Survey results show Owen Sound residents want stronger leadership, affordable housing, safer downtown spaces, and action on youth flight, poverty, and inclusion.
In Part 1 of our Vision 2050 report, we released the City of Owen Sound’s 2024 ‘Vision 2050’ community survey responses and dug into responses on whether Council’s existing priorities should be reframed. In Part 2, we explored additional priorities community members want to see reflected by Council. Part 3 asked what strengths we’re underusing.
This week’s focus is Q12: “What is one characteristic of Owen Sound that is uncomfortable to speak about or is a significant opportunity for improvement? (e.g., poverty, race relations, homophobia, homelessness, young talent leaving, etc.)”
What Residents Agree On
More than 880 people wrote responses. Six themes repeat across the dataset:
Homelessness
Drugs and addiction
Poverty and affordability
Young people leaving
Racism and race relations
Homophobia and transphobia
Alongside these six, two additional themes emerged frequently in tone if not in sheer numbers: civic trust in local leadership and the city’s physical form and identity.
You’ll find every response to Q12 in full in Column D of Owen Sound Current’s copy of the Vision 2050 raw survey results, obtained from the City via an information request under MFIPPA.
Let’s dig into the main themes that surfaced when survey respondents were asked to name a characteristic that is uncomfortable to speak about or is a significant opportunity for improvement in Owen Sound.
1. Homelessness
Homelessness is the single most repeated issue in the survey, appearing nearly 500 times. Many describe it as the most visible and urgent challenge in Owen Sound, particularly downtown.
“Homelessness… lack of affordable housing.”
“No one in City government is talking about the rise in real estate investment firms buying up affordable rental housing stock, minimally renovating it, and jacking up the rent.”
“Homelessness and addiction are huge issues in our community — I don’t feel safe anymore.”
“The council avoids talking about poverty/homeless/drug problem. This needs to change.”
“Homelessness is a HUGE factor. And the rate of rent and the cost of living it isn’t a surprise.”
“If we don’t actually break ground and build geared to income housing, rather than luxury real estates and freehold houses, we are desperate to support the needs of the rapidly growing inability of our young adults and seniors to afford to stay in the community.”
“Homelessness, especially downtown Owen Sound.”
Some respondents argue Owen Sound carries more than its share of the regional burden; others emphasize Housing First and supportive models as evidence-based solutions. Either way, residents want coordinated, 24/7 options that don’t leave people sleeping in doorways.
2. Drugs and Addiction
Over 300 responses describe open drug use, overdoses, and addiction as daily realities shaping perceptions of safety.
“The horrible homeless and drug problem. Just go downtown and see it.”
“Drug addicts and homeless fill the downtown to a point that I don’t feel safe.”
“Open drug use, people defecating on sidewalks and in parking lots. Drug paraphernalia, needles strewn in parks, streets.”
“Drug problems downtown!! Getting worse.”
“Drug addicts threatening people or comatose on the streets, store doorways or benches.”
“Drug addiction and homelessness that is the main vision of Owen Sound.”
“Far too much focus on drugs and less on curbing and helping with addiction remediation. We need less harm reduction and more treatment.”
Suggestions split: some call for stronger enforcement and relocating services, while others stress the need for better treatment, supervised consumption, and harm reduction.
3. Poverty
With more than 150 mentions, poverty is identified as both a root cause and a visible problem. Rising rents, precarious work, and the cost of living dominate comments.
“POVERTY & RENT PRICES.”
“Poverty, homelessness and addictions.”
“Poverty has become a very significant and very visible issue.”
“Poverty, opioid crisis, homophobia.”
“Poverty is a huge problem in Owen Sound, the divide between the wealthy and the poor.”
“The poverty in Owen Sound is not being addressed. It feels like people in need are ignored until they become a police matter.”
Many describe poverty as inseparable from housing, addiction, and crime. Respondents call for geared-to-income housing, food security supports, and higher-wage jobs, alongside coordinated outreach. As one put it bluntly: “If people had safe homes and enough money, we wouldn’t see the problems on our streets.”
4. Young People Leaving
“Young talent leaving” is one of the most repeated themes in the entire dataset — about 120 times. Many link it to a lack of career paths, wages, and a downtown that doesn’t feel vibrant or safe.
“Need a university campus, so young people don’t leave at first opportunity.”
“Industry for jobs and lack of higher education accessibility… do more to incentivize young people to stay.”
“Young people do not see a future here. We need to invest in that future.”
“No young people stay in the area. Only retirees.”
“Many young people leave the city because of the lack of well-paying jobs and the lack of opportunities to start a career.”
“Improve opportunities for social/recreation for adults after 5pm!! The River District could be so much more…”
“Lack of vision and ambition. With development in Collingwood, Thornbury and Meaford… Owen Sound needs to embrace the new economy and move up in the world.”
Residents tie retention to affordable housing, better transit, and late-night activities — but also to a cultural reset that invites “young, diverse minds to the table.”
5. Racism and Race Relations
About 80 respondents name racism as an uncomfortable but persistent issue. Several reference anti-Indigenous racism, distrust of newcomers, and specific violent incidents.
“Extreme poverty, blatant racism (especially when it comes to BIPOC in our community).”
“Race relations and the changing population with more immigration.”
“Racism!!!!! I have had three staff members [redacted] face uncomfortable and dangerous situations.”
“Opioid use and deaths from overdose. Islamophobia. Deeply entrenched racism towards Indigenous people.”
“Coming here [redacted], the overt racism and homophobia was a real culture shock.”
“Racism against Indigenous peoples.”
“Racism and resistance to change.”
Several respondents point to Indigenous residents and newcomers as particular targets of hostility, while others connect racism with the city’s struggles to grow and diversify. The concern is not only about high-profile incidents but also about what one respondent called “the racist stigma Owen Sound has developed” — and whether the community will be welcoming enough to retain new residents.
6. Homophobia and Transphobia
Homophobia and transphobia appear in more than 50 responses, often described as underacknowledged by City leadership or tolerated in the community.
“Homophobia, they’re way too many people in this town that are homophobic and no one does anything about it!”
“Homophobia, specifically religious motivated.”
“Homophobia/transphobia just general hate towards the lgbqtai+ community.”
“The rise of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.”
“Umm, basically all of the examples listed? Extreme poverty, blatant racism (especially when it comes to BIPOC in our community), homophobia/transphobia with the vandalized pride crosswalks and fear surrounding pride celebrations…”
“Coming here [redacted], the overt racism and homophobia was a real culture shock. I am an ally, but I am too afraid for my own safety to put a flag up.”
“Please see my response to question 3. I will add that I have often found it perplexing, and sometimes troubling, to see city council take a firm stand or release a direct statement addressing certain challenging issues while remaining indifferent or ‘neutral’ to others. Specifically, I feel that council has been avoidant of addressing direct acts of homophobia/transphobia that have occurred in our city (like the defacing of the pride walkway, the ‘prideman’ letters). The lack of acknowledgement that these acts are, indeed, homophobic/transphobic and no definitive denouncement… does not go unnoticed.”
The recurring concern is that incidents are happening — from vandalism of pride crosswalks to public hostility to protests against drag queens — but civic leadership is not openly naming or condemning them. Several warn that leadership’s silence makes Owen Sound less safe and less welcoming for LGBTQ2S+ residents and allies.
Other Top Themes: Civic Trust and Urban Design
Civic Trust
Dozens of respondents describe City Hall as evasive, closed-off, or run by a small group of insiders.
“Asking council anything. They’re a brick wall. Why don’t we have a ward system so we at least have a representative?”
“Ethics in government. People are generally afraid to speak up in fear of retribution.”
“The council avoids talking about poverty/homeless/drug problem. This needs to change.”
“All of the above. The very real lack of connection, collaboration, even conversation between the City (councilors, staff) and the public it should serve should be the starting point.”
“Many of [redacted] left [redacted] because the city was too conservative in its approach and catered to those who did not want change.”
“Encouraging or favouring diversity [redacted]… parts of Owen Sound (population and governing bodies) still hold an old town view that deters new residents.”
The concern is not just about politics but about follow-through: residents want a Council that acknowledges uncomfortable realities and takes visible ownership of downtown safety, housing, and supports. As one put it, “There seems to be no vision, plan or stated goal for all of these efforts.”
Urban Design and Identity
Residents also tie the city’s physical form to whether people feel safe and proud of where they live. A common frustration is that Owen Sound’s downtown feels neglected, while growth on the east side is seen as sprawling and car-dependent.
“City core degeneration and lack of respect for architectural heritage/city identity/branding.”
“Outdoor bathrooms. This is such a no-brainer.”
“Abandoned mall — less indoor activities for all ages.”
“Downtown buildings looking sad, ei. Seldon house, upside down flags in windows.”
“Beautification… general facade of downtown, soft architecture including trees along roads or sidewalks.”
“Sprawl of east side strip, terrible urban planning, focus on car travel, increasing traffic smog, resulting in degradation of downtown.”
“Urban design and development: we’re allowing for commercial and urban development that is not reflective of best practice for urban design, walkability, mixed uses, environmental sustainability etc. We need to hold developers to a high standard.”
“[Redacted] includes a closed on Sunday clause that kills tourism/downtown life on Sundays.”
These comments link directly back to the city’s identity: empty storefronts, Sunday closures, and boarded-up buildings shape first impressions for visitors and residents alike.
Many say that until downtown feels cared for — with lighting, clean streets, open businesses, and consistent property standards — it will be difficult to retain young people or attract newcomers.
Both themes connect back to the top six: leadership and planning are seen as prerequisites for solving homelessness, drugs, poverty, and retention, while downtown’s form shapes whether people feel safe or want to stay.
Key Takeaways
Residents aren’t asking for grand visions or one-off megaprojects. They are asking for visible leadership and accountability: a Council that owns the hard problems, stops avoiding uncomfortable topics, and sets out a clear plan with timelines and public reporting.
They want a city that keeps its youth by creating jobs and opportunities, houses its most vulnerable with real, affordable options, and treats poverty, addiction, and homelessness as solvable with coordinated supports rather than shuffled out of sight.
They want a city that names and confronts racism, homophobia, and exclusion instead of looking away, and that restores pride in its downtown with clean, safe, well-lit streets, open businesses, and heritage cared for.
And above all, they want a Council that listens and partners — with residents, volunteers, and service providers — to deliver a steady run of practical, visible improvements that rebuild trust.
Next week, we’ll explore the main themes and suggestions from Q13 in the City’s Vision 2050 survey: What is one significant missed opportunity that, if embraced, would positively impact the city?
You’ll find all responses to this question in full in Column D of Owen Sound Current’s copy of the Vision 2050 raw survey results, obtained by our publication from the City of Owen Sound via an information and access request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).
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