MultiFaith Alliance to End HomelessnessWorking together to educate and advocate in Toronto

www.mfateh.ca

2

TTC

Used car

Used car

Household + internet

Household + internet

Personal care, school supplies, clothing, shoes

Personal care, school supplies, clothing, shoes

income

Monthly expenses

They will be ok if…•both parents make $20/hour•no credit card debt, don’t own a home•don’t save for retirement or kids’ education•no holidays•don’t get sick … but then Dad loses his job…

3

TTC

Used car

Used car

Household + internet

Household + internet

Personal care, school supplies, clothing, shoes

Personal care, school supplies, clothing, shoes

What would you do?

How long until they are homeless?

Sell?

Walk?

No skype to family?Job search?

Wait list 6.4 yrs

Food banks?

Take one kid out?

Do without?

Canadian population80%

One pay check away18%

Homeless 2%

Chronic10%

Temporary30%

Hidden60%

Different causes – different people --- different solutions

Who are they?Single men

Single women

Why? Mental healthaddiction

How long? Many years

What do they need? Supportive housing

Chronic 10%

Shelters, detox, jail, hospitals

Most obviousMost costly $35,000/year

Life expectancy 39 yrs

Anyone can become homeless at any time for many reasons

Single menSingle women

FamiliesYouth

Single menSingle women

FamiliesYouth

Mental healthaddiction

Abuse, divorce, evicted, job loss, new arrivals

Low paying job

Many years <3 months Many years

Supportive housing Affordable housing Affordable housing

Chronic 10%

Shelters, detox, jail, hospitals

Most obviousMost costly $35,000/year

Life expectancy 39 yrs

Temporary 30% Hidden 60%Stay with family or friends

Debunking myths:

•No one chooses to be homeless

•Fastest growing segment is families and youth

•Don’t give up – shrink homelessness, not eliminate

•Homeless people want to work

TrendsHomelessness is not new. But since 1960s:

•urban renewal•changes in the labour market•the closure of mental health facilities•Canada is the only G8 nation without a national housing policy

"Treatment First” 1950s – now: abstinence from alcohol and drugs before receiving

housing and services. --47% success

“Housing First” 1990s – now: provides housing before any treatment or other care.

-- 85% success rate in Calgary

The role of government1.No country in the world creates affordable housing without government help. Private sector investment alone will not solve homelessness.

•rent-geared-to-income subsidies•up-front construction subsidies to reduce the monthly cost of housing•Emergency shelters and support services•Federal and provincial share costs 50/50•Municipalities waive fees and make land available

2. Large involvement required by non-profit groups.

…. This is why the Multifaith Alliance to End Homelessness is an education and advocacy group.

1. It’s the right things to do

2. Affordable housing is good for business • attracts employers• house essential service workers• keeps labour costs low• healthy and productive employees• partial solution to Toronto traffic problems

3. Cheaper• cheaper than the alternatives• reduce health care costs, reduce police costs, reduce jail costs

What’s in it for me to care about homelessness?

About UsNonprofit since 2006. We educate and advocate in Toronto.

Improve supply:•Encourage building more housing supply•protect stock of rooming houses

Ease demand:•rent supplements•increase minimum wage•increase shelter component of Ontario Works

How you can be involvedYour faith group:Join us as a member

- pay $200, vote at AGM, name on website, email updates Join us as an endorser

- name on website, email updates

Individual:Get on our email list to receive monthly Call to Action

- write letters about different topic, attend rally, etcDonate

Thank you

www.mfateh.ca

Because I have a home, I can…

•Lock my door to keep my valuables safe•Receive mail•Invite friends in•Have privacy •Eat what and when I want•Send my kids on school trips•Raise my kids the way I want to•Keep my faith in humanity•Shower•Make my bed comfortable•Feel safe•Have dignity

Because I am homeless, I can…

•Get assaulted regularly•Get ticketed for sleeping in a park•Go hungry•Go without comfortable sleep•Get exposed to bed bugs and TB•Have my kids taken away•Have my stuff stolen•Start to smell (because no showers)

17

“A friend”

Sponsor + community:Help to learn about neighbourhood, banking, TTC, customs, schools, weather, laws, food, safety

“A home”

-Lives with sponsor-8 people, 2bdrm apartment-Worry about eviction-Lack of privacy, noise-Family friction-Gender mix, age mix

Affordable housing helps immigrants adjust to Canada

“A job”

- Recognize credentials- retraining- ESL- Resume- Interview skills- References

China: doctor, nurseCanada: taxi driver, homemaker

History of government involvement

Pre 1964: no government involvement

1964 - 1984: commitment to affordable housing as part of a broader social safety net

1984 - 1994: decline in federal funding. Non-profit food banks start appearing.

1994 - 2004: no significant federal funding and minimal provincial funding due to deficits.

2004 - now: increased funding for affordable housing, interventions, supports and preventions. Existing units are aging (40 years old)

Canada is the only G8 nation that does not have a national housing strategy.