Loading ...The Solution to Homelessness
Not shelters, food-banks, blankets and or soup kitchens but homes. You end homelessness by providing homes with supports so that persons can have the opportunity to re-build their lives.
The public can spend $55,000 on a person who is homeless and goes through a revolving door of various services or $37,000 on housing with supports. It costs on average $18,000 less to house someone with supports.
So every time you see someone who is homeless – remember not only the tragedy of whatever it is that has a person living outside but that we as a society have chosen to spend $55,000 on a patchwork of band aids rather than ending homelessness by investing $37,000 and saving tax payers $18,000.
While the world economy could possibly slide into a depression and possibly a recession, building housing for people who are homeless and employing people to provide supports has a positive effect on the economy. It also means that after a period of time, a number of formerly homeless people will find jobs.
We invite you to help end homelessness now by participating in a movement to change the way we as a society have ignored the simple and proven solutions to this human and social tragedy. Join End Homelessness Now to make a difference.
Read Malcolm’s story to see how we can make a difference in the lives of homeless people.
Malcolm’s Story
Since 2007, Malcolm (member of First United Church) has been homeless. He has moved from shelter to shelter. Some shelters will take a person for up to one month and then move them on to another place to stay. Malcolm chose this lifestyle because he was too young to qualify for an Old Age Pension and too ashamed to go on welfare. He did collect CPP but, unfortunately, CPP is insufficient to cover the rent for a bachelor suite and to purchase groceries. Hence, he chose the way of the street. In his time on the downtown eastside, he had open heart surgery and suffered off and on with the flu and cold as many do without a proper home. In November 2008, when Malcolm turned 65, he could afford a place of his own provided he received his CPP and Old Age Pension. Unfortunately, there was a glitch in the paper work and Malcolm did not receive his Old Age Pension even after he was told it had been approved. Finally, On February 26, 2009 he received his first Old Age Pension together with his CPP and was able to move into his own bachelor suite. Malcolm is currently waiting to hear if he has been accepted into Seniors Housing in Maple Ridge where he hopes to retire.
Imagine having to wait till you are 65 to have a place of your own! We need to ensure that people get a home of their own when they need it.
