Were you aware of the fact that a recent homeless count conducted by the Social Planning and Research Council of BC shows that in Metro Vancouver the number of people living on the streets or couch surfing has increased by 364% since 2004. Recently in the House, several MLA’s have pointed out that the homelessness crisis has worsened since the Campbell government took power and pulled the plug on affordable housing programs. Now does that sound fair to you?
In Surrey the number of homeless people has jumped 15% since the last Metro Vancouver count 3 years ago. It’s been estimated there are close to 500 absolute homeless people living in our city and there are countless more at risk of losing their housing.
Finding Our Way Home, is a report based on a province-wide consultation launched by Carole James and NDP homelessness critic David Chudnovsky in November, 2007.
A clear set of recommendations for government to immediately tackle the homelessness crisis was created after consulting with more than 130 organizations in 22 communities, speaking with people who are homeless, community advocates, service providers, mayors and other civic leaders.
The 12 proposals are to:
- Re-establish the stand-alone Ministry of Housing;
- Set program targets to eliminate the homelessness crisis in five years;
- Re-invest in a social housing program;
- Provide local governments and community organizations with tools and resources to combat homelessness;
- Recognize that the crisis is province wide and ensure solutions are as well;
- Expand social housing on existing sites;
- Include the principles of Housing First, homelessness prevention, adequate infrastructure and accountability into social housing and support programs;
- Maintain and expand the public land bank;
- Protect manufactured home tenants;
- Strengthen security of tenure and rights for tenants;
- Increase income assistance rates and the minimum wage; and
- Increase mental health and addiction services.
