A BILLION DOLLAR SAVING?
March 06, 2009
The Edmonton Committee to End Homelessness spokesperson is saying that homelessness in Edmonton could be eliminated for a billion dollars, and spending that money would actually save taxpayers more money. Neither statement is true. The apparent growth in homeless numbers from 2006 to 2008 is due mostly to having added shelter spaces not previously counted. Building a further 3,000 new social transitional or emergency shelter units, with full wrap around $90 million per year social services, will further add to Edmonton’s homeless shelter numbers, not decrease it.
Of course we need to provide help for the up to 10% of the homeless who are said to be chronically homeless who presently are not being helped.
However, throughout the Committee’s deliberations I spoke of the most important fundamental need for affordable private sector independent living singles rental housing. Over the last 30 years Edmonton has lost over 80% of its single person housing stock and not replaced it. It is no coincidence that there are now 3,079 homeless single persons living in shelters or couch surfing with friends and family. Most homeless persons need affordable homes, not more social shelters.
Homelessness is an extremely complex and involved expression that has a multitude of definitions of needs, far beyond simply being without a home. The United States has modelled how to deal with the confusion and industry exaggerations of the homelessness issue – create a national understanding of the issue, define it as best possible, decide how to most effectively deal with it, and implement that plan. It is my suggestion that Canada form a comparable agency to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to begin the process nationally.
Such a new agency could really help bring about an end to homelessness confusion that sadly serves to inhibit efforts to help those truly in need.
What do you think?