Vibrant CommunitiesVibrant Communities66thth Annual Conference Annual Conference

Ontario Business Improvement Area AssociationOntario Business Improvement Area Association

Safe Streets – Friendly Streets:Safe Streets – Friendly Streets:

Community Approaches to Keeping Your Community Approaches to Keeping Your Downtown Safe & WelcomingDowntown Safe & Welcoming

March 27March 27thth, 2006, 2006

3:15 – 4:15 p.m.3:15 – 4:15 p.m.

Fairmount Chateau LaurierFairmount Chateau Laurier

Homelessness:Homelessness:

A Solution-Focused ApproachA Solution-Focused Approach

Care or CureCare or Cure Managed Problem or SolutionManaged Problem or Solution

Homeless People and StereotypesHomeless People and Stereotypes

• People are homeless because they choose People are homeless because they choose that lifestylethat lifestyle

• Homeless people are drug addicts and Homeless people are drug addicts and alcoholicsalcoholics

• Helping the homeless will create a culture Helping the homeless will create a culture of dependencyof dependency

• Homeless people are lazy and refuse to Homeless people are lazy and refuse to workwork

Homeless People and StereotypesHomeless People and Stereotypes continuedcontinued

• Homeless people are involved with petty Homeless people are involved with petty criminal activitiescriminal activities

• Most homeless people come from Most homeless people come from somewhere elsesomewhere else

• All panhandlers are homelessAll panhandlers are homeless• Once homeless, always homelessOnce homeless, always homeless

Million Dollar MurrayMillion Dollar MurrayArticle by Malcolm GladwellArticle by Malcolm Gladwell

• Ex-marine, 6 feet tall, heavyset, “Smokey”• Chosen drink was vodka• Story develops his character and relationship with

authorities• Treatment programs, but reverted to drinking once

on the street again• In 6 months more than $100,000 spent (hospital

bills, treatment costs, doctor’s fees, etc.)• Author looks at U.S. literature that found 80% of

homelessness did not stay homeless

Overview of Selected Panel Overview of Selected Panel Study FindingsStudy Findings

• Approximately 30% of the total sample came to Ottawa homeless

• Less than 5% of the total sample were homeless greater than 5 years or more

• 76% of participants were housed at the time of the 2 year follow up (families 97%, single men 47%)

• Much higher risk of physical injury among panel study participants and much greater use of emergency room services

• Much greater use of hospitals and convalescent homes

Reasons for HomelessnessReasons for Homelessness

• Youth: family problems

• Families: financial difficulties

• Adults: financial difficulties (adult females are frequently victims of abuse)

• For all groups, childhood stressors were high (over 30% spend time in out of family care; for male youth this was approximately 60%)

Housing First StrategiesHousing First Strategies

• Housing First is,… the direct provision of permanent, independent housing to people who are homeless

• Portable supports – can involve money management skills, case management for medical care, medication adherence, nutrition, etc.

• Harm Reduction: an approach aimed at reducing the risks and harmful effects associated with substance use and addictive behaviours for the person, the community, and society as a whole, without requiring abstinence.

Why Housing First?Why Housing First?

• Do we take an intentional solution-focused approach

• Technical Assistance program from the Downtown Associations describe Calgary as in a Care versus Cure dilemma

• Why problems like homelessness might be easier to solve than to manage

What About Solutions?What About Solutions?

• A national strategy• Cooperation among all

levels of government• An intentional action

plan• Full assessment and

implementation planning

You Can HelpYou Can Help• Skills – offer your

professional skills directly to community agencies

• Energy – use your energy to write letters or approach politicians on behalf of those experiencing homelessness

• Money – use your money to provide material assistance to community agencies

• Time – spend your time on committees and/or coalitions working to develop strategies to end homelessness

• Inform – most importantly, continue to inform yourself, your family and community!

• Donate – offer supplies, equipment, or financial assistance to community agencies

Reference MaterialReference Material

• http://www.socialsciences.uottawa.ca/crcs/eng• http://www.endhomelessnessottawa.ca