A week ago, residents of an affluent Toronto neighbourhood were surprised to see a vacant store boarded up and a sign installed stating a homeless shelter was coming to that site.
The enterprise was a prank put on by a homeless advocacy group called Raising the Roof. News that a 62-bed facility was in the works, which would serve warm meals and have a volunteer staff of three, brought a swift reaction. It wasn’t positive.
It was a mix of anger and concern that such a facility would be planted in the middle of their comfortable neighbourhood.
After a few days the signs were taken down and a new one was erected, stating “You told us you don’t want a shelter here. Neither do we. Support us in creating long-term solutions. Let’s end homelessness.”
The campaign was meant to draw attention to the issue of homelessness, but we think it could be drawn a step further.
Many communities have had similar tales of upset when something different is announced for a neighbourhood, whether it was a plan for housing for troubled youth, or the disadvantaged. People don’t generally accept change easily, but further to that point, they really don’t like seeing anything that doesn’t maybe fit in with their area.
There are many reasons for homelessness. For many there are financial issues, substance abuse or mental health issues left unchecked. It is a difficult task to figure out the root causes for many on the street without a home.
Absent from this federal election campaign is any great fundamental idea to address the issue of housing.
Homelessness is an obvious issue, but how about the native population living in substandard conditions, or how about the working poor that can’t afford good housing. Waiting lists are at all-time highs for many demographics.
It would seem natural, considering low-interest rates, that now is a good time to tackle the problem.
Housing should be a central theme for all parties, but instead it is often overlooked. Most voters have homes. We see housing as the foundation for a productive, happy life.
A “home” provides security and safety for families and people who otherwise might feel insecure or unsafe. Far too often the absence of affordable housing creates difficulties when it comes to other life necessities. Reports and studies into the issue tell the tale: homelessness results in increased costs for health care and other social services.
We aren’t advocating for government to jump head-first into the housing business, although they have a role in larger-scale projects.
They should however, place significant effort in developing innovative ways multi-unit housing can be built without making the process so arduous that developers give up before they get started.
