Action For Homelessness From Faith Communities

MultiFaith Alliance to End HomelessnessWorking together to educate and advocate in Toronto

www.mfateh.ca

What were talking about today

• What does it mean to be homeless?o Monthly Expenseso Homeless: How Long?

• On trends and therole of Government.o Reality Checko Trendso Role of Government

• Why care about homelessness?o What “home” means

for a homeless familyo Housing Helps Immigrants

• Getting Involved with MultiFaith Allianceto End Homelessness!

What does it mean to be “homeless”?

4

TTC

Used car

Used car

Household

(furniture,

bedding, internet,

etc.)

Household

(furniture,

bedding, internet,

etc.)

Personal care, school

supplies, clothing,

shoes

Personal care, school

supplies, clothing,

shoes

income

Monthly expenses

A family of four will be OK, if…• both parents make at least $20/hour• they have no credit card debt• they don’t own a home• they don’t save for retirement or for their kids’education• they take few or no holidays and never get sick … but what is one or the other parent loses their job…

5

TTC

Used car

Used car

Household

(furniture,

bedding, internet,

etc.)

Household

(furniture,

bedding, internet,

etc.)

Personal care, school

supplies, clothing,

shoes

Personal care, school

supplies, clothing,

shoes

What would you do?

How long until they are homeless?

Sell?

Walk?

Sleep on the floor?Can’t do a job

search?

Wait list 6.4 yrs

Food banks?

Take one kid out?

Do without?

Canadian population80%

One pay cheque away18%

Homeless 2%

Chronic10%

Temporary30%

Hidden60%

Different causes – different people – different solutions

Who are they?Single men

Single women

Why? Mental healthaddiction

How long? Many years

What do they need? Supportive housing

Chronic 10%Of people who are homeless

Shelters, hospitals, perhaps detox, or jail.

Most obviousMost costly

$35,000/yearLife expectancy 39 yrs

Anyone can become homeless at any time for many reasons

Single menSingle women

FamiliesYouth

Single menSingle women

FamiliesYouth

Mental healthaddiction

Mental health, abuse, divorce, evicted, job loss, new arrivals

Low paying job

Many years Less than 3 months Many years

Supportive housing Affordable housing Affordable housing

Chronic 10%

Shelters, hospitals, perhaps detox, or jail.

Most obviousMost costly

$35,000/yearLife expectancy 39 yrs

Temporary 30% Hidden 60%Stay with family or

friends

On trends and the role of government

Reality check!

•No one deliberately chooses to be homeless.

• The fastest growing segment are families and

youth.

•We can significantly shrink the numbers of homeless

•Homeless people want to work and have a home.

TrendsHomelessness is not new.

But since the 1960s, there has been:

• a significant change in the economy and labour force.

• an increase in stress-related mental health issues.

• no national housing policy in Canada (only G8 country).

• positive change on housing for those with addictions:“Housing First” 1990s – now: get housing during treatment or other care results in an 85% success rate (Calgary study), compared to the1950s – now: get housing only after completing treatment for addiction results in a mere a 47% success rate.

History of government involvement

Pre -1964: no government involvement

1964 - 1984: commitment to affordable housing as part of a broader social safety net

1984 - 1994: decline in federal funding. Non-profit food banks start appearing.

1994 - 2004: no significant federal funding and minimal provincial funding due to deficits.

2004 - now: increased funding for affordable housing, interventions, supports and preventions. Existing units are aging (40 years old)

Canada is the only G7 nation that does not have a national housing strategy.

The role of government• No country can create affordable housing without government support.

o Federal, provincial, municipal governments must work togethero need for more rent-geared-to-income subsidieso up-front construction subsidies to reduce monthly cost of housingo emergency shelters and support serviceso federal and provincial share costs 50/50o municipalities waive fees and make land available

• Private sector investment helps, but it alone will not solve homelessness.

• Non-profit groups must also be actively involved to make housing happen…

…. this is why MultiFaith Alliance to End Homelessness is doing education and advocacy to end homelessness!

Why care about homelessness?A home is more than just four walls and a roof. It’s a safe, secure

and dignified place to live. It’s a place to enjoy healthy, nurturing

relationships, have an opportunity for education

and meaningful work in a vibrant community.

No family or person should have to be homeless in Canada.

Cost of taking no action to end homelessness:

On Health: Lack of affordable housing drives up health care costs for all. Poor neighbourhoods with the worst housing have the poorest health.

On Society: Homelessness shatters communities. Poor housing, poor neighbourhoods and poor services combine to create poor outcomes. On Economy: Little affordable housing hurts the economy, undercuts productivity and competitiveness. “Lack of affordable housing affects ...all businesses...leads to... social and economic problems.” Toronto Board of Trade

Why care about homelessness

What home means for the homeless…

• a safe haven to raise a family and a place that’s secure and

provides stability for children to grow in love and hope.

• a place that is free from harm not only physically but

emotionally.

• a place where young people find acceptance and stability and

where they can study to do well in school.

• a refuge where love, acceptance and graciousness abound and

where help is always available to give and receive.

• good quality, affordable housing is a key to good health.

17

“A friend”

- Sponsor + community:- Learn about neighbourhood, banking, TTC, customs, schools, weather, laws, food, safety

“A home”

-Lives with sponsor-8 people, 2bdrm apartment-Worry about eviction-Lack of privacy, noise-Family friction-Gender mix, age mix

“A job”

- Recognize credentials- retraining- ESL- Resume- Interview skills- References

China: doctor, nurseCanada: taxi driver,

homemaker

Affordable housing helps immigrants

Getting Involved MultiFaith Alliance to End Homelessness

About MFATEHMultiFaith Alliance to End Homelessness (MFATEH) is the unified voice of members of faith communities who believe in thefundamental dignity and worth of every human being.

MFATEH believes that care of poor and vulnerable people is a central tenet of our respective teachings and traditions, and of good government and of responsible, compassionate citizenship.

Begun in 2006, MFATEH does education outreach and advocacy affecting Toronto and the surrounding GTA.

MFATEH encourages the development of more housing, both new and restored, that is safe, adequate and affordable.

Get Involved with MFATEH!

MFATEH membership is open to individual Faith Groups – congregations, synagogues, temples; faith-based charities or service providers and Faith Groups that serve the GTA such as diocese, conventions, associations, councils and the like.

As a MFATEH member, you will receive the MFATEH Newsletter and regular email updates about events and activities on homelessness.

MFATEH members participate fully in all activities including regular General Meetings , the AGM and participation on committees.

Join us as an endorser and have hour name listed on our website and also received regular updates about issues and MFATEH actions.

Individuals can also be members and will receive email updates and be invited to participate in calls to action campaigns on homelessness.

Thank YouMultiFaith Alliance to End

Homelessness

CONTACT US

[email protected]

10 Trinity SquareToronto, ON M5G 1B1

www.mfateh.ca