Paying the tab for the ’right’ thing
By JOHN MOHAN

Major cities across Canada (including Calgary, Vancouver and even Red Deer), the United States and England have implemented 10-year strategies to end chronic homelessness in their cities. In Winnipeg we have numerous meetings and studies about homelessness. Perhaps it’s time for an actually strategy -- for three reasons.

1. It's the right thing to do. Winnipeg is a great city and there's much to be proud of. However, great cities are never measured solely by sports teams, buildings, restaurants or amenities but also by our efforts to care for our neediest citizens, especially those without homes.
2. It's the humane thing to do. Downtown redevelopment is exciting as the core area landscape is reshaped with new buildings, businesses and venues to replace vacant lots and dilapidated structures. However, the long-neglected properties have also been homes and shelters for hundreds now facing displacement as business owners, consumers and middle and upper-class condo residents return to Main Street.
3. It's the smart thing to do. One Vancouver study revealed they spend over $85 million annually keeping people living on their streets through institutions (like detention centres and psychiatric wards), emergency shelters and health services.

A Denver, Colo., presenter at a recent National Alliance to End Homelessness annual conference in Washington, D.C., disclosed that the city spent $1 million in services on one homeless person but never provided a single night of stable shelter for them before they died alone under a bridge. A Winnipeg report revealed we spent $250,000 on emergency services on one chronic homeless person in under two years. Two dominant models emerge in 10-year homelessness reduction strategies.

One is called "Housing First" which emphasizes independent housing units for the "hardest to house" -- active drug and alcohol abusers and the mentally ill. While assessments and support services can be optional in this model, the thought is that once homeless people are stabilized with housing they become healthier and less costly.

The second model focuses on a "Continuum of Services" which utilizes assessments, life-goal application, accessible support services and gradual independent housing. While goals and rates of progress are determined by the client, accountability systems ensure effort is made and future risk of homelessness is minimized. While any homelessness ending or reduction strategy is a good idea, some serious questions must be faced. First, who leads the charge: the city or the province? Maybe a business association or a coalition of citizens and/or agencies?

Of the 50-some local non-profit service providing agencies, which will be contracted to provide services and manage housing? By what criteria will they be chosen and by whom?

And, finally, who foots the bill? If Winnipeg's emergency care cost for homeless people are close to BC's $40,000/year/person then there are savings to be had through an implemented strategy. But strategic support services and building new housing units are a big budget infrastructure item. Can't wait to see who raises their hand first wanting pay the tab of doing the right, humane and smart thing.

Originally printed in The Winnipeg Sun August 27, 2008.
Reprinted with the permission of Sun Media Corporation.