Siloam Mission - Article: Can Harper find us a visionary?

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A connecting point between the compassionate and Winnipeg’s less fortunate, Siloam Mission is a Christian humanitarian agency offering programs and services at no charge to those experiencing homelessness.

Siloam Mission alleviates the hardships of the poor and homeless, assists in transitioning them into self-sufficient and generous lifestyles and advocates nationwide on their behalf.

The Mission

When life feels like quicksand
They offer a helping hand.

A place staffed by people, just and fair,
It’s not just a paycheque, they really care.

They got bunks and showers,
And really good meals,
Follow the rules,
And it’s a great deal.

It’s kinda a sacred space
So please don’t abuse this place.

And when all you do is roam,
And you think your all alone

Don’t get lost in the dark,
Open your heart, let the light make it’s mark.

When God’s on your side
The devil can’t take you anymore on his hellride.

Can Harper find us a visionary?
By John Mohan

Dear Prime Minister Harper:

Congratulations on your second election win, and forming another minority government. As you know, Manitoba is well-represented in your new caucus and Manitobans expect at least a few of our elected representatives to make it into your cabinet, and in meaningful roles.

Since I lead one of the larger homelessness agencies in Canada, you may have tried to reach me for a recommendation for the minister of human resources, which homelessness falls under. In case you called, I apologize for not getting back to you but my schedule has been a little crazy lately. But I still wanted to offer some thoughts, in the event you were waiting on me before you made a decision.

First, this is going to be the fourth (or fifth) minister charged with oversight of the homelessness file since 2001 when I became the CEO of Siloam Mission. That seems like a lot of change for such an important issue. Could you pick someone that agencies like mine can work with for a few years? I bet we could get better results for Canada and the homeless that way.

Secondly, the new minister needs to be aware of serious problems with the funding agreements that come from this department by way of The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) -- or whatever it will be called next. For example, the new minister should have enough foresight to anticipate that homelessness may not be eliminated before the current agreement expires. So why not put new funding in place (not just an announcement) before the old agreement ends?

Also, if you're serious about reducing or ending homelessness in Canada we need to stop starting new, short-term programs and instead, provide long-term funding to build strong organizations that can figure out their own programs and allow them to keep what already works without the fear of lost funding.

The new minister needs to fix the long delays between the time funding is announced and when the money actually reaches the agencies to run the programs -- usually at least a year. And why is the length of funding agreements so short? Homelessness is far too large and complex to solve with 24 months (or less) of funding. How about a five or 10-year strategy? Members of Parliament don't have to worry about funding for their salaries after two years. And the war in Afghanistan is going to be funded until at least 2011 so why should the agencies that lead the war on Canada's homelessness and poverty have to be so short-sighted?

I told all this to former minister Solberg earlier this year. I wonder if anybody kept the notes from that meeting so I don't have to repeat myself to the new minister. One last piece of advice about naming the new minister who oversees homelessness and housing. Could you pick someone who is visionary enough to bring back a National Affordable Housing Program? We haven't had one since the early '90s and with the economic slow down, affordable housing won't get any easier to find for the poorest.

Anyway, you have my number if you want to continue the discussion. If you promise to listen and use some of my ideas, I'll let my staff put your call through.

Regards,

John

Originally printed in the Winnipeg Sun, Wednesday, October 29, 2008.
Reprinted with the permission of Sun Media Corporation.