Homelessness: A Solvable Problem

Classes Without QuizzesOctober 26, 2015

Dr. Abe Oudshoorn – aoudsho@uwo.ca

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