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Leading up to the October 17 – 18 Church & Affordable Housing Conference 2008, BCCN is featuring commentaries on initiatives within the
Christian community. Second in the series is by Bill
Mollard, who became the president of Union
Gospel Mission (UGM) July 11.
IN the past quarter century – and particularly in
the last decade – the Downtown Eastside area of Vancouver has become
the icon of homelessness in British Columbia.
In 2005, the Metro Vancouver homeless population had
doubled to 2,174 when compared to 2002 levels. Homelessness is entrenched
in the Downtown Eastside, creating a very complex and difficult problem to
solve, particularly when the compounding issues of poverty, mental illness
and addiction are considered.
Making headway
However, just below the surface of what looks like a
hopeless situation, dedicated groups are making headway in resolving the
crisis. In 2008, the Metro Vancouver homeless count increased – but
only by 19 percent, as opposed to the 131 percent increase of 2005. This
glimmer of hope gives weight to my belief that we are at the tipping point
of eradicating homelessness in the Downtown Eastside.
Four strong indicators are currently paving the way for
the abolishment of homelessness.
The first indicator is redevelopment in the downtown
area. The purchase and development of the Woodward’s building,
coupled with the willingness of other developers to invest, signals that
this community is in the embryonic stage of redefining itself from both a
social and urban planning perspective. However, careful attention must be
paid to ensure that homelessness is not simply relocated, but resolved.
The second indicator is new housing. The City of
Vancouver has partnered with B.C. Housing to produce more than 3,000 units
for those who are homeless, or at risk; the current Vancouver homeless
count is about 1,500.
The third indicator is rent subsidy. In 2006, the
province launched Housing Matters B.C., which invests in housing and
shelter programs by providing rent subsidy and addressing a range of
housing needs.
The final indicator is the protection of low-cost
housing. Since April 2007, the provincial government has purchased 16
single room occupancy hotels in Vancouver, to help reduce homelessness and
protect affordable housing stock.
Government, however, cannot solve homelessness on its
own. As not-for-profits, business and individual supporters continue to
increase their pledge and resolve to eradicate homelessness in the Downtown
Eastside, the possibility of permanent change improves.
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In the trenches
Not-for-profits like City in Focus, Covenant House, the
Lookout Society, the Salvation Army, St. James Society, UGM and YWCA are in
the trenches daily, applying hard work and sacrifice and investing into the
lives of Vancouver’s most vulnerable people. We continue to see big
businesses catch the vision and lend their strength to solving homelessness
– with both expertise and financial support.
At UGM alone, numerous companies such as Telus, Famous
Foods and Polygon Homes have stepped up and provided significant resources.
Individual people are, of course, where solutions start
and finish. The Christian community in particular continues to rise
to the occasion, lending its support in increasing strength and number,
through volunteers, advocacy and donations.
The ever-increasing support and determination to
eradicate homelessness has reached a pinnacle. I believe Vancouver has the
resolve to deal with the homelessness problem and the strength to carry it
through. But our job is not finished. The current delivery system has some
gaps.
Continuum of care
One of UGM’s strategies for addressing these gaps
is our continuum of care. Through integration of services, we’ve had
great success providing a comprehensive program which integrates housing
with recovery, education and life skills.
We need to expand to reach women and children by
including daycare, education and housing in a single site.
Over the next few years, homelessness in the Downtown
Eastside will decrease; but more resources are needed to permanently solve
homelessness, poverty and addiction before they start.
Homelessness can be eradicated from the Downtown
Eastside, but it’s going to take commitment and determination.
Now is the time for Christians to add more of their
strength to the determination of those who have laid the foundation. It is
up to each of us to do our part in ending homelessness.
More stories and resources will be posted online at: www.shalomseekers.com.
August 2008
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