Over the past several weeks, there have been encouraging signs that collectively we are picking up the pace in our work to end homelessness for many individuals, a goal that will save governments money and improve the quality of life for everyone as people move off the streets and into housing.
Homelessness is a good news/bad news story these days. On one side, senior governments are offering 117 more rent supplements and non-profit societies are building affordable apartments. Some people who can’t pay for an apartment out of their own small incomes will be able to move off the street and out of short-term, expensive stays in homeless shelters into their own accommodation. They could be in Wilson Walk, Pacifica Housing’s latest building, or Azzurro by Greater Victoria Rental Development Society, both new projects approved last month by Victoria city council.
These are important steps in preventing and solving homelessness in our community. They are suitable solutions for people who are doing well but not making enough money to pay market rents.
Housing is about the money, make no mistake. But according to a recently released study, just $46 per year per federal taxpayer can make a big difference for people like 82-year-old Ginette Hodgson, who has been staying at Cool Aid’s Rock Bay Landing shelter due to a lack of suitable seniors’ housing.
Research confirms this one fact: Homelessness is the most expensive option. According to a Simon Fraser University study, it costs on average $55,000 per year per person to keep people homeless on B.C. streets who are suffering from multiple conditions such as a brain injury, mental health illness or addiction.
But housing people in Cool Aid apartments, with staff on site 24/7 to support them, costs just $18,415 per individual, on average.
Getting people off the streets and out of shelters will save a lot of money, while improving people’s lives and making the community a better place for everyone. In fact, Victoria Foundation’s Vital Signs study showed that the top five community concerns in the Capital Region are all related to homelessness: cost of living, housing, mental illness, homelessness and employment.
Unsurprisingly, the best possible solution for folks struggling to be housed is … housing. But vulnerable individuals with little income need more than just a subsidized rent, if they are to succeed and remain housed. Counselling, medical care, help finding work and education, recreation programs are all standard at Cool Aid buildings.
What are we going to do about it? How can we help those folks living on the street get into housing that provides them with the support they need to succeed?
Victoria Cool Aid Society has a plan to build 360 apartments throughout the capital region to house the community’s most vulnerable and homeless citizens, and provide them with support throughout the day and night — whenever they need it.
Cool Aid is ready to construct the first supportive housing building in this plan — Cottage Grove, for seniors, for 45 older homeless people in a lovely new building that Saanich council approved in September. It has pledges of financial support from both Saanich and the Capital Regional District, and the province has been asked to commit $4.8 million of the $6.6-million capital project.
All the construction required to house 360 people who have been homeless is estimated at $50 million. Cool Aid is targeting $5 million in donations from people, foundations and businesses. When completed, it is estimated that government will save $6.5 million every year, primarily in reduced health care, policing, court costs and emergency services.
I am proud to chair Cool Aid’s Help End Homelessness campaign to raise this $5 million, which we will leverage with $45 million in matching government funds. Together with a top-notch campaign cabinet and advisory council of community leaders, we will help end homelessness in the capital region.
Rob Reid is the owner of Frontrunners and is cabinet chairman for Help End Homelessness for Victoria Cool Aid Society. To learn more about Cool Aid’s plan to #buildhomes visit CoolAid.org/buildhomes.
