SASKATOON – It will take more than just new housing units for the federal government to achieve its ambitious plan to end homelessness, but it can be done, according to a Saskatoon shelter operator.
The federal budget earmarked nearly $30 billion to eliminate homelessness within 10 years.
The Salvation Army helps run one of three overnight warm-up centres in the city during the coldest months of the year.
Derek Kerr, a spokesperson for the group, was pleased to hear the government has a clear goal. “I think we can eliminate homelessness,” Kerr told CTV News.
“But we have to realize we are never going to be able to eliminate a crisis in someone’s life.”
Demand for the Salvation Army’s overnight shelter grows every winter, he said. This week, even when temperatures were relatively mild, upwards of 90 guests accessed the nightly support.
Individuals find themselves unhoused for a number of reasons, according to Kerr.
He says it is important to have temporary housing in place, but programs and services are just as important in helping people get through hard times.
“When we work together with our government partners, we can help make things better for those who are experiencing homelessness,” Kerr said.
Policy experts and municipal representatives who spoke with CTV News agreed that it is possible to eliminate homelessness, but tackling the issue requires more than just new builds.
“I like (the plan), but I feel like it’s probably underfunded relative to the challenge,” said Marc Lee, a senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
“And it is going to require provincial governments stepping up in a pretty big way, as well.”
The first part of the federal plan is to build more transitional and supportive housing, which will be the easiest step, Lee said. The bigger challenge will be addressing the social issues that often lead to homelessness, including addictions, mental health, income security and poverty.
Advocates express optimism
“There is a long-term payoff if we get it right,” Lee said.
Tim Tierney, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, says the federal plan comes at a time when it is needed the most.
“(Homelessness) has hit every single municipality across the country,” he said.
“I know a lot of people are thinking this (plan) might be utopian, but if you don’t start doing something, the situation is not going to get any better.”
Tierney says buy-in from the provinces is necessary since many of the wrap-around supports related to social services, addictions and mental health fall under provincial jurisdiction. “The federal government has stepped up,” Tierney said.
“We’re passing the hat over to the provinces now to add that additional support, if we really want to solve this issue once and for all.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Manitoba’s Premier Wab Kinew announced their partnership in the plan Friday.
The $1-billion partnership will help build more than 2,000 new supportive and transitional homes and a new Winnipeg Centre for Mental Health and Addictions, according to a news release from the Prime Minister’s Office.
