1. Vibrant Communities 6 th Annual Conference Ontario Business Improvement Area Association Safe Streets – Friendly Streets: Community Approaches to Keeping Your Downtown Safe & Welcoming March 27 th, 2006 3:15 – 4:15 p.m. Fairmount Chateau Laurier

2. Homelessness: A Solution-Focused Approach Care or Cure Managed Problem or Solution

3. Homeless People and Stereotypes People are homeless because they choose that lifestylePeople are homeless because they choose that lifestyle Homeless people are drug addicts and alcoholicsHomeless people are drug addicts and alcoholics Helping the homeless will create a culture of dependencyHelping the homeless will create a culture of dependency Homeless people are lazy and refuse to workHomeless people are lazy and refuse to work

4. Homeless People and Stereotypes continued Homeless people are involved with petty criminal activitiesHomeless people are involved with petty criminal activities Most homeless people come from somewhere elseMost homeless people come from somewhere else All panhandlers are homelessAll panhandlers are homeless Once homeless, always homelessOnce homeless, always homeless

5. Million Dollar Murray Article by Malcolm Gladwell Ex-marine, 6 feet tall, heavyset, “Smokey” Chosen drink was vodka Story develops his character and relationship with authorities Treatment programs, but reverted to drinking once on the street again In 6 months more than $100,000 spent (hospital bills, treatment costs, doctor’s fees, etc.) Author looks at U.S. literature that found 80% of homelessness did not stay homeless

6. Overview of Selected Panel Study Findings Approximately 30% of the total sample came to Ottawa homeless Less than 5% of the total sample were homeless greater than 5 years or more 76% of participants were housed at the time of the 2 year follow up (families 97%, single men 47%) Much higher risk of physical injury among panel study participants and much greater use of emergency room services Much greater use of hospitals and convalescent homes

7. Reasons for Homelessness Youth: family problems Families: financial difficulties Adults: financial difficulties (adult females are frequently victims of abuse) For all groups, childhood stressors were high (over 30% spend time in out of family care; for male youth this was approximately 60%)

8. Housing First Strategies Housing First is,… the direct provision of permanent, independent housing to people who are homeless Portable supports – can involve money management skills, case management for medical care, medication adherence, nutrition, etc. Harm Reduction: an approach aimed at reducing the risks and harmful effects associated with substance use and addictive behaviours for the person, the community, and society as a whole, without requiring abstinence.

9. Why Housing First? Do we take an intentional solution-focused approach Technical Assistance program from the Downtown Associations describe Calgary as in a Care versus Cure dilemma Why problems like homelessness might be easier to solve than to manage

10. What About Solutions? A national strategy Cooperation among all levels of government An intentional action plan Full assessment and implementation planning

11. You Can Help Skills – offer your professional skills directly to community agencies Energy – use your energy to write letters or approach politicians on behalf of those experiencing homelessness Money – use your money to provide material assistance to community agencies Time – spend your time on committees and/or coalitions working to develop strategies to end homelessness Inform – most importantly, continue to inform yourself, your family and community! Donate – offer supplies, equipment, or financial assistance to community agencies

12. Reference Material http://www.socialsciences.uottawa.ca/crcs/eng http://www.endhomelessnessottawa.ca