One step forward, two back
By John Mohan

Columnists and social activists seem to be hard-wired to criticize governments -- about everything. So when I got a phone call during my "Continuing Midlife Crisis Bikeathon for the Homeless" from provincial Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh I was prepared to hear something I wouldn't like. He wanted to give me the heads up about an upcoming announcement the province was making about a multi-million dollar homeless strategy.

After giving some background, he proceeded to give me some of the highlights. I liked the plan a lot but predictably have ideas about what could be better.

One of the big positives is homelessness in Manitoba is being talked about at high government levels, there is willingness to address it with public dollars and someone the calibre of Minister Mackintosh has been assigned the responsibility (kudos to Premier Doer on that). Mackintosh and I have talked a few times, and he's worked hard to hear all voices and find solutions that work. His job isn't easy when passionate but contradicting voices exist in the social sector about the answers.

The Province's HOMEWorks! homeless strategy is ambitious with 10 points but may be too short to really help -- the announcement only mentions one year of funding. Anything less than five years of guaranteed funding support indicates a misunderstanding of the magnitude and complexities of the homelessness crisis in our province. Minimum shelter standards are being established but no word yet what more the province is offering to the front-line agencies that protect our homeless citizens from sleeping under bridges and in back alleys this winter. Shelter rates have been unchanged for years, and at only a $16.50/night/bed service rate, I doubt we're even in the middle of the pack compared to other provinces.

The fact there is a strong focus on mental illness and homelessness is positive. At least one third of those staying at Siloam Mission's 110-bed emergency shelter each night have an identifiable mental illness. Shelter living is not the best long-term solution for them. While it sounds like there will be an increase of housing units and options, I'm a big advocate for dry, secure housing. It makes it more possible for those with addiction issues to succeed in all life areas and is more conducive to building healthy, business-friendly neighbourhoods and communities.

I like the idea of agencies being funded to operate the housing units, but prefer they are given outcome-based core funding versus program-based funding.

We create healthier organizations who can develop creative, effective programs that way. Transitional outreach workers the province is announcing is a great idea but every agency should be able to hire their own staff to do that role -- you'll get better results that way.

Speaking of results, I wonder if we'll all notice the difference in a year.

Maybe the people who live on our streets will.

--John Mohan is the CEO of Siloam Mission

Last Updated: 24th June 2009, 3:47am

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