homelessness: a solvable problem classes without quizzes october 26, 2015 dr. abe oudshoorn –...
TRANSCRIPT
Homelessness: A Solvable Problem
Classes Without QuizzesOctober 26, 2015
Dr. Abe Oudshoorn – [email protected]
Historical Perspective
Pre-1970
1970’s
• “Report on Skid Row” – City of Toronto Planning Division• 136,334 social housing units developed
1980s
• UN 1987 – International Year of Shelter for the Homeless
A Reaction
• The charitable impulse• Food Banks Canada – 1989• 400 shelters developed across Canada by 1990 (including
domestic violence shelters)
Current Situation• 1,086 shelters; 28,495 shelter beds• 146,726 unique individuals accessed shelter• 5,263,182 shelter bed nights
Shelter Use and Health
Issue Stat
Chance of surviving to 75 (men)
32%
Chance of surviving to 75 (women)
60%
Average age of death of person staying in shelter
47
Increased risk of suicide (women)
6x
Homelessness in London
The Stats
• Part of the picture:• 330 emergency shelter beds,
consistent 85% occupancy
Housing – Income Gap
• Active households on RGI waitlist 2013 = 2,341
The Causes
• A series of unfortunate events:– Violence, trauma, relationship breakdown, substance use, poverty,
mental health challenges
The Causes
The Solution
“I heard that in Utah they ended homelessness.”“Have you seen what they are doing in Medicine Hat?”
• Housing First– Consumer choice and self determination– Immediate access to permanent housing with supports– No pre-conditions or program participation conditions– Social inclusion, self-sufficiency, and improved quality of life and
health
Housing First in London
• Homes 4 Women; London CAReS; CMHA
• Components:– Rent subsidy– Landlord outreach– 24/7 mobile support– Community supports and integration
17
Participant #8
Jun-12
Jul-1
2
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
Feb-13
02468
101214161820
# of Emergency Room Visits
# of Emergency Room Visits
Costs
Solving House-lessness
The End of House-lessness
• No person spends more than x consecutive nights in emergency shelter.
• People who are absolutely homeless are connected with an outreach worker within xx hours.
• All those who want to exit ‘hidden homelessness’ are provided with housing options.
But…
So what is HOME?
George Carlin
“A home is an abstract idea, it’s a setting, it’s a state of mind.”
In Their Words
• Home is:1. A right2. Safe3. Affordable4. Quality5. Permanent6. Self-determined7. Autonomous
8. Supported, if necessary9. Accessible10. Inclusive of family members11. Free from surveillance12. Community13. Land14. Private15. Not burdensome to others
So can we solve this?
Local Strategies
Local Strategies
Community Transformation
Critical Perspective
Prioritize Self-Determination
Community Collaboration
Led by Those
Affected
Prioritize Safety
Trauma-Informed
Community Mobilization
Local Strategies
Community Transformation
Critical Perspective
Prioritize Self-Determination
Community Collaboration
Led by Those
Affected
Prioritize Safety
Trauma-Informed
Community Mobilization
Long-Term Solutions
Ending Discrimination
National Housing Strategy
Addressing Poverty &
Motherhood
Ending Domestic Violence
Ending Poverty
Justice System Reform
Child Welfare
Coordinated Research
Ending Homelessness Means:
• Inclusive communities• Compassionate policies• A caring nation
Questions