1. The Abbotsford Dignitarian Society
Abby Digs
A housing proposal by
The Abbotsford Dignitarian Society

2. Who are we ? Abbotsford Dignitarian Society
We are a non-profit society in Abbotsford concerned about the current state of homelessness of some of our residents and committed to find solutions.
We have representation from private citizens, business leaders and the homeless community
This is a nonpartisan and secular group of individuals committed to the common goal of improving the lives of the most in need in our community

3. Our Purpose
The purpose of the society is to educate and create community partnerships to further solutions to homelessness.
To enhance human dignity and respect for all in Abbotsford and the Fraser Region by encouraging and providing housing solutions for all regardless of religious belief, substance use, addiction, illness, disability, economic disadvantage, criminal record and health status both physical and mental.

4. The situation today

5. The situation today

6. The situation today

7. The situation today

8. The Cost of Homelessness
At Home – Mental Health Commission of Canada
$110 million 4 year Housing First study
Homelessness costs Canadians $1.4B / year
People who are homeless have a higher use of health, criminal and social services
These costs are 33% higher for people who are homeless than for people with housing

9. The Cost of Homelessness
A Canadian study found investing in supportive housing (estimated annual costs $13,000-$18,000) is less costly than traditional institutional responses e.g. prisons and psychiatric hospitals (estimated annual cost of $66,000-$120,000)
Its estimated that the city of Abbotsford has spent $ 100,000 on the homeless issue in the last year on camp dismantling, the Jubilee Park protest, increased policing, legal costs etc.

10. Housing First Approach
Reduce Emergency Visits and Hospitalizations
Reduce Involvement with Police & Criminal Justice Systems
Improve health and addictions outcomes and improve quality of life
For every $10 invested in housing the mentally ill or drug addicted, $9.60 was saved in taxpayer-funded services such as emergency rooms and shelter beds, according to this study

11. What are people saying
"Since the Bosman opened up and we've been tracking statistics in that community, calls have gone down," Comments from Constable Jodyne Keller (Vancouver Police Department) on At Home and the opening of the Bosman

12. What are people saying
Often, they’re less trouble than regular tenants. The At Home people pay their rent on time and they are coached on how to live in harmony with their neighbours.” Comments on At Home from Paula McDougall, Office manager at a building in Toronto.

13. What are people saying
“Nobody is going to hire you if you don't have a place. They can't even get a hold of you because you don't have a phone. Now I've got both and don't just get to work, I get to do something that I want to do." Quote from an At Home Participant, who takes care of the sweat lodge at Thunderbird House

14. What are people saying
"To this day, I feel I'm in control," he says. "Health-wise, mind-wise, I'm getting back. I can't see a single negative side to this. They've all been so helpful to me, I can't believe it. I'm ready to go back to work." Quote from an At Home participant

15. The challenges
Many individuals are not able to qualify for existing housing options due to a variety of reasons.
Drug use or addiction
Alcohol use or addiction
Pet ownership
Behavioral issues related to drugs or mental illness
Financial

16. The challenges
These people are living in areas they are currently not permitted to be
They are not in safe , warm , dry conditions
They do not have the basic services
Toilets
Showers
Garbage pick-up
Cooking facilities

17. Our Plan We are proposing a pilot housing project
We want to provide a low barrier housing solution
Find a location with minimal impact on adjacent residents and businesses
Provide basic services, washrooms, showers and laundry
Offer heated cabins for residents
Initial plan for 10 people +5, 40 potential

18. Let’s not reinvent the wheel
Dignity Village – Portland Oregon 43/$1000 city land
Opportunity Village – Eugene Oregon 30/$1000 private land
Occupy Madison – Madison , Wisconsin 15/$5000 private land
Second Wind Cottages – Newfield, NY 18/$12,000 private land donated
Community First Village – Austin Texas 200/$30K private land 27 acres
Quixote Village – Olympia Washington 30/$87,000 city land

19. Opportunity Village

20. Occupy Madison

21. Second Wind Cottages

22. Community First Village

23. Quixote Village

24. Quixote Village

25. Lets not reinvent the wheel

26. Dignity Village in Portland

27. 5 miles from city center

28. 2 acres , 43 residents, +10

29. Cabins 10ft X 12ft

30. All buildings portable

31. Residents are invested

32. Resident’s gardens

33. Pride of ownership

34. Pride of ownership

35. Greenhouse

36. Community Center

37. Micro businesses

38. Thrift store

39. Firewood

40. Firewood

41. Dignity Village Success
Dignity Village is run by a non-profit society
They lease the 2 acres for $1/year
They pay for all services, taxes, water, electricity
They carry liability insurance
Monthly operating cost $2000
They have been in operation since 2000
Hundreds of people have been through the village in the 14 years of operation

42. Police and Fire endorse
Pete Simpson, a Portland Police Bureau spokesman, said he couldn't remember the last time police were called to Dignity Village.
Portland Fire & Rescue has a great relationship with Dignity Village, spokesman Ron Rouse said. Rouse makes frequent visits to the community, with its dozens of elevated, often brightly colored wood dwellings.
Andrew Theen Oregonian.com October 12,2013

43. NIMBY
The biggest challenge to any housing solution is where to locate it – ACS proposal
Must consider adjacent interests.
Residents
Businesses
Proximity to downtown
Too close too costly
Too far transportation problem

44. Our location – 33725 Valley Rd

45. Abby Digs

46. Plan for pilot project Build essential service unit
Men’s and women’s bathroom, shower and laundry
Build Mess hall and Kitchen unit
Dining hall with kitchen, 10 X 20
Build 10 private cabins
Cabins are wood frame 8ft X 12ft insulated
Window and door
Cabins have 15 amp service with baseboard heater
Build an office for caretaker
Provide a central area for services, resident intake phone , computer etc.
Enclose the village with a fence to control admission
All structures will adhere to elevation requirements

47. Essential Services Unit

48. Essential Services Unit

49. Cabins

50. Cabins

51. Site Preparation
8 inch depth of crushed rock needed to create base for 1 acre on site
Grading to be performed by landlord
Enclose with fence 51

52. Services
Water
Sewer
Power
High speed

53. Organization
Abby Diggs leases land from Jansens and operates the village
Caretaker on site
Form strata council from residents
Security
Site maintenance
Garden

54. Concerns Any development is not without challenges and concerns
Proximity to downtown
Safety
Attract too many people from outside Abbotsford
Proximity to Transfer Station
Proximity to Life Soils

55. Proximity to downtown Location from downtown core
Abby Diggs is about 1 mile from downtown core
This is walkable
Bus Route 31 travels right by Valley Road every 20 minutes from 6:30am-10:30pm weekdays, every 30 minutes from 8am-9pm Saturday, and hourly 10:30am-5:30pm Sundays
Considering shuttle service

56. Village Safety
We have talked extensively with Dignity Village about this concern
They have developed a list of rules that new residents agree to. They sign a contract when they register.
There is a strata council and members volunteer for security detail. They are self governing.

57. Dignity Village Rules
No violence to yourself or others or brandishing a weapon
No theft
No alcohol, illegal drugs or paraphernalia on site or within one block radius
No constant disruptive behavior
Everyone must contribute to the operation and maintenance of the village ( 10 hours / week )

58. Security Personnel Create a security team that patrols 24/7
Train security personnel – protocol and code of conduct
Keep records of rule breaking incidents
Keep hours of all security personnel
Issue written warnings
Greet people that enter the village
Maintain security log
Have a caretaker on site

59. Eviction Protocol
All residents must be members of the Abby Digs society
All residents must sign leases that are only available to society members
The leases will outline village rules and code of conduct which residents will agree to
Any resident that is evicted will be removed from the society for breech of conduct and will not be eligible to live in the village

60. Attract too many people
Will we attract too many people from outside our community adding to our population ?
The village will have a capacity – when its full nobody will be admitted. Names will be put on a waiting list and when a spot opens up it will be made available
All new residents must apply and go through the registration process

61. Attract too many people
Based on conversations with experts with homeless populations we have found the common reasons why people live where they live
Hometown
Close to relatives
Personal relationships

62. Proximity to Transfer Station
This is in fact a Transfer Station not a dump
No animal or food waste
Waste doesn’t sit for long it is moved away
We have spent a significant amount of time on the property and spoken to employees at the transfer station and don’t believe this is a deterrent

63. Proximity to Life Soils
There will be no composting activities on this site
Landlord will put a clause in Life Soils lease to prohibit composting in the future
Life Soils may provide employment opportunities for residents

64. Success will be a Community Effort
Initial funding by the ADBA $10,000
We have had commitments for additional donations
We are hoping to work with local groups such as Habitat for Humanity ,MCC , ACS and faith groups on fundraising efforts – Habitat for Humanity Gala

65. Success will be a Community Effort
Government and private grants - $4000 garden
We will network within our community to raise money through our website
It will be an ongoing effort to continue to raise money from the private sector to support this project
Community support – UFV building project

66. Social Media
In an effort to get our message out to the public we will take advantage of all media
All news media – TV, radio , print
Website – publish our budget
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

67. Provincial Support
Operating funding $375/month welfare shelter allowance
BC Housing ?
Fraser Health ?

68. Municipal Support We are hoping the city will join us in this project
We need a 36 month temporary use permit
We need city sewer and water hooked up
Any additional help would be greatly appreciated

69. Budget Initial build Site prep $20000 Fence $10000
Essential Service Unit $30000
Mess Hall and Kitchen $30000
Cabins ( 10 ) $20000
Office $2000
Total $112000

70. Operating Budget 10 residents 40 residents
Income ( monthly ) $3750 $15000
Other
Caretaker $5000
Power $400 $1600
Water City City
Sewer City City
Phone/Data $50 $50
Food
Land $1500 $3000
Garbage $200 $400
Liability Insurance $100 $200
Total Op $2250 $10250
Net $1500 $4750

71. Future plans Expand the village to 40 residents Common use building
Create micro businesses, workshop
Lockers , storage
Plant vegetable and fruit gardens
Centralized location for service providers
Health services , Dental
Drug treatment programs
Job placement
Veterinarian Services

72. The Abbotsford Dignitarian Society
Abby Digs
A housing proposal by
The Abbotsford Dignitarian Society