Agencies discuss solutions to homelessness

Page 7

Recent tallies put the number of homeless in the capital city at 1,600. The figure may be higher.

That's up from March 2000, when the Edmonton Homelessness Count Committee determined there were 1,125 homeless in the city, 579 who were identified as "absolute homeless" and 546 who live in emergency accommodations. Forty per cent were identified as Aboriginal.

The escalating problem of people living on the street brought local agencies together recently to see how they can provide more efficient service to the homeless and destitute. Partnering of agencies and businesses was the focus of a workshop hosted by the Edmonton Aboriginal Committee on Homelessness (EACH) on March 28.

Delegates came from Native Counselling Services of Alberta; the Metis Nation of Alberta Association; Persons with Developmental Disabilities' Independence Through Partnerships program; Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation; Catholic Social Services; the Edmonton John Howard Society; the Edmonton Housing Trust Fund (EHTF); and Human Resources Development Canada.

The recently developed Edmonton Community Plan on Homelessness sets out a three-year, $49.3 million partial solution to the problem. Priorities include capital projects such as emergency housing, transitional housing and long-term supportive housing. It also addresses supportive and preventative services, and the need to raise community awareness.

"Edmonton needs at least 5,000 additional units of affordable housing," the document states. "In the absence of resources to take that action, the Edmonton Community Plan on Homelessness, 2000-2003, proposes interim measures to address the most pressing needs."

Two community-based organizations administer the plan. The Edmonton Joint Planning Committee on Housing (EJPCH) develops and updates the plan, co-ordinates support services, sets priorities and provides budget estimates.

The Edmonton Housing Trust Fund (EHTF) goes after donations and project proposals, then analyzes submissions and funds projects that address identified priorities.

"What we are looking for here is just to make sure that the community can be informed of the process of the trust fund," said James Richardson, project manager. "Most of the projects are capital-type of projects. That means either purchase and renovation, if necessary, of an existing facility or new construction of a facility for housing homeless," he said.

"Long-term supportive housing is probably a few steps off affordable housing, but still has a programming support to help people be better prepared to live their life once they move on . . . beyond that, of course, we have support services."

He said people interested in homelessness projects could contact his organization about accessing the fund even if they don't have a complete action plan.

If an agency is looking for money, its application must come through the EHTF first, said communications officer Chris Konski. He stressed all groups, whether Aboriginal or not, need to apply to EHTF. "We review an application as to whether or not the project meets a priority of the Edmonton Community Plan on Homelessness."

If the proposed project lacks some information, "we'll work with the applicant to help develop the application," he added.

Since the March 28 meeting, EHTF has had application inquiries from agencies that were present at the meeting, but Konski did not specify which. The trust fund receives funding from federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as anonymous donations.

To date, EHTF has received more than 100 applications and has funded 25 projects.

Marge Milicevic, Homelessness Prevention Program manager with Native Counselling Services and co-chair of EACH, said Native Counselling wants to know where clients with diverse needs can access different services.

She said the Homelessness Prevention Program helps people find a place to stay, identifies their needs, and refers them to the proper agency, whether they rquire help with employment, addictions, or education.

The Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation (ECCCC) provides a wide range of housing such as emergency, long-term, sheltered, supervised, and independent living. The corporation runs a project with the Handicapped Housing Society of Alberta, which offers long-term housing for 16 people over the age of 18 with low incomes and ongoing mental illness.

In addition ECCCC's Women's Emergency Accommodation Centre can provide short-term housing consisting of semi-private rooms, along with meals and clothing, for up to 66 homeless and transient women.

Wheelchair-accessible Our Place, operated by ECCCC, features 10 long-term rooms for low-income women with mental illness.

Their partnership with Capital Region Housing Corporation's McCauley Apartments, provides 25 two-bedroom suites for tenants with a history of mental illness, and 12 two-bedroom suites for other inner-city residents.

A 17-unit apartment located in Boyle Street additionally provides private accommodation to stable individuals who can live on their own.