Issues - Homelessness

A survey of homelessness conducted by the City of Toronto and a number of volunteers on April 19th, 2006 found that on that specific night, 5052 people were homeless in the city. They were found in the following places:

• 3649 (72%) in shelters
• 818 (16%) on the street
• 275 (5%) in health care or treatment facilities
• 171 (3%) in Violence Against Women facilities
• 139 (3%) in correctional facilities

The authors of the report said, “We believe that these numbers must be treated as a snapshot, they do not present a full and accurate representation of all homeless people. We know that many were missed that night due to the survey methodology. The numbers don't even start to take into account the hidden homeless population.”

Homelessness has become a major social problem. In 1998 the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee declared homelessness a national disaster and over the next ten years the problem has become even worse. A debate has grown as to what to do about it.

Mental illness, alcoholism and drug addiction are common among those who live on the street. Some believe that these basic problems have to be solved before the problem of homeless is addressed. Others argue that we have to deal with the basic needs of the poor before they can put their lives back together again.

David Miller’s “Streets to Homes” Project:

In 2005 Mayor David Miller brought a proposal to city council for a program to provide housing for the homeless called “Streets to Homes.” The proposal caused considerable nervousness particularly among those who work with the homeless.

When the program was being designed a survey was done with Toronto’s homeless, and they were asked what they felt they needed. Overwhelmingly they said that they needed permanent housing. This was the point where Miller, and the social workers who helped him design the program, began. They argued that the place to begin was at the point of greatest need and that was housing.

Many were upset with this approach. There were accusations that the homeless would be forced into housing even when they preferred to live on the streets and that the program was no more than an effort to clear the streets of the troublesome poor. There was even a concern that civil liberties would be taken away from the homeless, but the mayor stuck to his guns and the program was approved by council.

"Streets to Homes" has now been operating for three years and it has been a remarkable success that has vindicated Miller’s approach. Almost 1200 people have been helped to move off the street and into permanent homes, most in the private rental market. Of the group helped 87% have remained in their homes.

City staff do outreach to people living in hostels and encampments around the city. They provide assistance at every step of the way from getting income support, documentation and furniture. Long term follow up services are provided. The rent is paid directly to the landlord.

The reason the “Streets to Homes” program has been such a success is that it is not moralizing; it is not demanding that people change their way of life before they can get into the program; it starts with the greatest need and that is the lack of housing. The program has not reached everyone in need, but the quality of life for hundreds of people has been improved and that alone has made it worthwhile. It is a model program that should be extended across the country.