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
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