Homelessness as an investment priority: innovation & integration

Homelessness as an investment priority: innovation & integration Stephan de Beer Tshwane Leadership Foundation22 September 2011

the contextChanging face of homelessness

What/who are we speaking of? Homelessness is everywhereStreet homelessness

Economic SituationalChronic Near homeless

Institutional captivity / impotency

The language we use Lack of coherent, integrated strategy & policyDependency versus empowerment models

the challengeFrom stagnation to innovation From exclusion to integrationFrom welfare to investment

INNOVATION

the story of Common Groundanalysis > mapping / strategic planning innovation > generating creative responsesintegration > radical, holistic integration investment > makes business sense / cost-effectivebeauty > ethic of aesthetics solution > long-term change / policy / replication

87% reduction in streethomelessness inTimes Square

the story of Common GroundMethodology of integration

An accurate registry of street homeless people per neighbourhood

Prioritize for housing those who are the most vulnerable, by means of a vulnerability index

Simplify the process for helping individuals secure permanent housing

Provide supportive programmes and services, e.g., mental health counselling, job training, financial management skills, to assist individuals with maintaining their new homes and creating stable and purposeful lives(www.commonground.org)

INTEGRATION

a continuum of care

holistic integrationPhysical, economic & psycho-social-spiritual integration

Personal, family & community integration

Contributing as neighbour, citizen and tax-payer

Integrated approaches & models

Public-private-community partnerships

Inter-departmental cooperation INVESTMENT

investment versus welfareLanguage of inclusion versus language of stereotyping

Asset-based approach versus need-based approach

From dependency to empowerment

Breaking cycles of poverty and violence

Real solutions versus temporary relief

Cost-effective, long-term change an investment priorityInvesting in

on-going research

responsive, innovative solutions: building models

support programmes & services

capacity-building & trainingstaff, beneficiaries, officials, law enforcers, etc

replication and scaling

building small models

the potters house: women at-risk

living stones community housing

Leyds Street Development

gilead community house

rivoningo care centre

litakoemi & hofmeyr house

kopanong

sediba house

tau village

psycho-social & economic supportCounselling & support groups

Information & referrals

Access to baby care & pre-schools

Access to health care & HIV/AIDS support

Access to arts & recreation

Access to skills training & education

Access to economic opportunity

Opportunities to participate in the community as volunteers and participants

the City of Tshwane: a model for innovative solutions to homelessness?