| Housing is the first step |
Nov. 06, 2009
Housing is the first step
Times Colonist
Published: Friday, November 06, 2009
The people we tend to label "hard to house" -- those living on the streets, with no income -- offer some of the great challenges in addressing homelessness.
But getting them into housing also offers some of the greatest community benefits.
The Streets to Homes program launched in the capital region is an important step toward capturing those gains
For some homeless people, solutions are quick and simple. A rent supplement, access to an affordable place, a little support and they're on their way.
For others, more is needed. Landlords' reluctance to rent to people moving from the streets makes sense. Some will continue to lead chaotic lives for a time, even with an apartment. They might quit paying rent or make a mess of the room.
The Streets to Homes pilot program, funded this year with a $172,000 grant from the United Way, tackles that problem. The Open Door, Pacifica Housing, Cool Aid, the Salvation Army and Victoria Native Friendship Centre will co-operate on the project.
They will work with common standards and a shared approach, rather than referring clients from agency to agency.
And they guarantee landlords that rent and the cost of any damage will be paid. They will thus have a powerful incentive to support the people housed under the program.
The goal is ambitious -- helping 30 people from the streets to stable homes within three months and 120 within two years. It's not just a matter of finding the apartments or rooms, but of keeping people in them successfully. That means support and picking up the pieces when things go wrong, as they inevitably will, and starting again.
Housing is life-changing. But moving people from the streets to housing also saves society huge amounts. Shelters, ER visits, policing costs, downtown problems -- a single homeless person can easily cost $100,000 a year. Housing, even with intensive support, slashes that dramatically.
It's a great project. And a timely reminder of why it's important to support the United Way's annual fundraising drive, which is now underway.
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2009
