Download - MFATEH action for faith communities
MultiFaith Alliance to End HomelessnessWorking together to educate and advocate in Toronto
www.mfateh.ca
2
TTC
Used car
Used car
Household + internet
Household + internet
Personal care, school supplies, clothing, shoes
Personal care, school supplies, clothing, shoes
income
Monthly expenses
They will be ok if…•both parents make $20/hour•no credit card debt, don’t own a home•don’t save for retirement or kids’ education•no holidays•don’t get sick … but then Dad loses his job…
3
TTC
Used car
Used car
Household + internet
Household + internet
Personal care, school supplies, clothing, shoes
Personal care, school supplies, clothing, shoes
What would you do?
How long until they are homeless?
Sell?
Walk?
No skype to family?Job search?
Wait list 6.4 yrs
Food banks?
Take one kid out?
Do without?
Canadian population80%
One pay check 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%
Shelters, detox, jail, hospitals
Most obviousMost costly $35,000/year
Life expectancy 39 yrs
Anyone can become homeless at any time for many reasons
Single menSingle women
FamiliesYouth
Single menSingle women
FamiliesYouth
Mental healthaddiction
Abuse, divorce, evicted, job loss, new arrivals
Low paying job
Many years <3 months Many years
Supportive housing Affordable housing Affordable housing
Chronic 10%
Shelters, detox, jail, hospitals
Most obviousMost costly $35,000/year
Life expectancy 39 yrs
Temporary 30% Hidden 60%Stay with family or friends
Debunking myths:
•No one chooses to be homeless
•Fastest growing segment is families and youth
•Don’t give up – shrink homelessness, not eliminate
•Homeless people want to work
TrendsHomelessness is not new. But since 1960s:
•urban renewal•changes in the labour market•the closure of mental health facilities•Canada is the only G8 nation without a national housing policy
"Treatment First” 1950s – now: abstinence from alcohol and drugs before receiving
housing and services. --47% success
“Housing First” 1990s – now: provides housing before any treatment or other care.
-- 85% success rate in Calgary
The role of government1.No country in the world creates affordable housing without government help. Private sector investment alone will not solve homelessness.
•rent-geared-to-income subsidies•up-front construction subsidies to reduce the monthly cost of housing•Emergency shelters and support services•Federal and provincial share costs 50/50•Municipalities waive fees and make land available
2. Large involvement required by non-profit groups.
…. This is why the Multifaith Alliance to End Homelessness is an education and advocacy group.
1. It’s the right things to do
2. Affordable housing is good for business • attracts employers• house essential service workers• keeps labour costs low• healthy and productive employees• partial solution to Toronto traffic problems
3. Cheaper• cheaper than the alternatives• reduce health care costs, reduce police costs, reduce jail costs
What’s in it for me to care about homelessness?
About UsNonprofit since 2006. We educate and advocate in Toronto.
Improve supply:•Encourage building more housing supply•protect stock of rooming houses
Ease demand:•rent supplements•increase minimum wage•increase shelter component of Ontario Works
How you can be involvedYour faith group:Join us as a member
- pay $200, vote at AGM, name on website, email updates Join us as an endorser
- name on website, email updates
Individual:Get on our email list to receive monthly Call to Action
- write letters about different topic, attend rally, etcDonate
Thank you
www.mfateh.ca
Because I have a home, I can…
•Lock my door to keep my valuables safe•Receive mail•Invite friends in•Have privacy •Eat what and when I want•Send my kids on school trips•Raise my kids the way I want to•Keep my faith in humanity•Shower•Make my bed comfortable•Feel safe•Have dignity
Because I am homeless, I can…
•Get assaulted regularly•Get ticketed for sleeping in a park•Go hungry•Go without comfortable sleep•Get exposed to bed bugs and TB•Have my kids taken away•Have my stuff stolen•Start to smell (because no showers)
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“A friend”
Sponsor + community:Help to 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
Affordable housing helps immigrants adjust to Canada
“A job”
- Recognize credentials- retraining- ESL- Resume- Interview skills- References
China: doctor, nurseCanada: taxi driver, homemaker
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 G8 nation that does not have a national housing strategy.