1. Homelessness: A Solvable Problem Classes Without Quizzes October 26, 2015 Dr. Abe Oudshoorn – aoudsho@uwo.caaoudsho@uwo.ca

3. Pre-1970

4. 1970’s “Report on Skid Row” – City of Toronto Planning Division 136,334 social housing units developed

5. 1980s UN 1987 – International Year of Shelter for the Homeless

6. A Reaction The charitable impulse Food Banks Canada – 1989 400 shelters developed across Canada by 1990 (including domestic violence shelters)

7. Current Situation 1,086 shelters; 28,495 shelter beds 146,726 unique individuals accessed shelter 5,263,182 shelter bed nights

8. Shelter Use and Health IssueStat Chance of surviving to 75 (men) 32% Chance of surviving to 75 (women) 60% Average age of death of person staying in shelter 47 Increased risk of suicide (women) 6x

10. The Stats Part of the picture: 330 emergency shelter beds, consistent 85% occupancy

11. Housing – Income Gap Active households on RGI waitlist 2013 = 2,341

12. The Causes A series of unfortunate events: – Violence, trauma, relationship breakdown, substance use, poverty, mental health challenges

13. The Causes

15. “I heard that in Utah they ended homelessness.” “Have you seen what they are doing in Medicine Hat?” Housing First – Consumer choice and self determination – Immediate access to permanent housing with supports – No pre-conditions or program participation conditions – Social inclusion, self-sufficiency, and improved quality of life and health

16. Housing First in London Homes 4 Women; London CAReS; CMHA Components: – Rent subsidy – Landlord outreach – 24/7 mobile support – Community supports and integration

17. Participant #8 17

18. Costs

19. Solving House-lessness

20. The End of House-lessness No person spends more than x consecutive nights in emergency shelter. People who are absolutely homeless are connected with an outreach worker within xx hours. All those who want to exit ‘hidden homelessness’ are provided with housing options.

21. But…

23. George Carlin “A home is an abstract idea, it’s a setting, it’s a state of mind.”

24. In Their Words Home is: 1.A right 2.Safe 3.Affordable 4.Quality 5.Permanent 6.Self-determined 7.Autonomous 8.Supported, if necessary 9.Accessible 10.Inclusive of family members 11.Free from surveillance 12.Community 13.Land 14.Private 15.Not burdensome to others

25. So can we solve this?

27. Critical Perspective Prioritize Self- Determination Community Collaboration Led by Those Affected Prioritize Safety Trauma- Informed Community Mobilization

28. Critical Perspective Prioritize Self- Determination Community Collaboration Led by Those Affected Prioritize Safety Trauma- Informed Community Mobilization Ending Discrimination National Housing Strategy Addressing Poverty & Motherhood Ending Domestic Violence Ending Poverty Justice System Reform Child Welfare Coordinated Research

29. Ending Homelessness Means: Inclusive communities Compassionate policies A caring nation

30. Questions