Homelessness in Canada - Solutions

Solutions

The National Homeless Initiative (NHI), created in 1999, was the federal secretariat most directly responsible for homelessness matters until its closure in 2007. The NHI was created to fund transitional housing and a range of services for homeless people across the country. NHI funded the federal program Supporting Community Partnerships Initiative (SCPI) which covered the costs of temporary shelters and services for the homeless.

The federal government replaced the NHI with the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) which was allocated to spend $270 million between 2007 and 2009 In September 2008, the Government of Canada announced that it would set aside funding for housing and homelessness programs of $387.9 million per year for the next five years

Canada is one of the few countries in the world without a national housing strategy (United Nations, 2009). Many of the federal governments' expenditures are cost-sharing, one-time only funding initiatives that lack long-term leadership on homelessness. The United Nations has also noted the lack of information on these expenditures, including the number of houses produced.

Housing has been declared a fundamental human right. Canada helped to draft the 1948 UN Declaration of Human Rights that includes a right to access housing in Article 25. Canada also ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in 1976, which recognizes an adequate standard of living, including housing, in Article 11.

Homeless advocates maintain that government funding should be spent on securing affordable housing versus funding more homelessness programs. In British Columbia, the service and shelter costs of homeless people ranged from $30,000 to $40,000 annually versus $22,000 to $28,000 per year for formerly homeless persons housed in social housing.

A plan to house Vancouver's homeless was proposed by a local architect. It called for the rapid erection of temporary villages assembled from the same type of modular units that mining companies provide for remote workers. "Stop Gap Shelters" is what architect Gregory Henriquez calls it. "All of us in this community have long been advocates for permanent housing," he said. "But we've gotten to the point where the numbers of homeless are so staggering that I'm left wondering if we will ever catch up doing it that way. I don't think we can. I think there has to be a stop-gap measure. And that's what this is." Henriquez drew up plans for a motel-like village, with 48 to 120 suites clustered around central courtyards. The colourful compound includes a managers' office, a covered patio, and a second storey meeting room.

An "Exiting Process" as suggested by Karabanow in 2009, provides a detailed flow chart of steps for an individual to "exit" homelessness. There are six individual steps in the process, each of which can interact and flow into the next. The steps are not mutually exclusive or exhaustive, they simply offer a framework for individuals to attempt; in reality it may take several attempts for an individual to truly eradicate the issues which caused them to be homeless in the first place. The first step in Karabanow's process is called Precipitating Factors and involves becoming disenchanted with street life and beginning to experience boredom with the street lifestyle. The second step is called Courage to Change and involves having increased responsibilities including becoming more involved and connected with family members or people who really care. The next step is Securing Help which involves using services, detox treatments or drop-in clinics. This step also includes searching for a permanent residence using supportive housing or structured programs. This step may also include becoming involved in school again. The next step is labeled as a transition phase. This step includes aspect of individual growth and change in scenery, including a proposed increase in self-esteem and building a network of non-street associates and activities. Factors that would help this stage along include finding a sympathetic landlord or employer to aid in the slow process of cutting ties to the street life world. The next step is called Change in Routine and involves just that. This step includes solidifying employment, a residence and possibly attending school. The individual at this point should be focusing on future plans and appear happier, healthier and more driven. At this point in the process the individual may also be relying on social assistance to stay on track. The last step is aptly named "Successful Exiting". This is the last stage of Karabanow's proposal and involves being in control of one's life and having direction and stability. The individual at this point should be able to fully care for themselves and have a dramatic increase in self-esteem, pride, and enjoyment in one's life.