Homelessness 'hidden problem' in Prince Edward Island

Homelessness continues to grow at vast rates across Canada, not just in large urban centres, but in the rural areas of the country. Many attempts from the voluntary and municipal levels have been made to address this complex issue, but what is needed to tackle this issue is for all sectors (voluntary and public) to stop “passing the buck”, develop partnerships, and work with private industry to develop affordable housing strategies and job creation programs across the country. There is a massive misconception in the public regarding homelessness.

Great job by this committee in their research!


Homelessness 'hidden problem' in Prince Edward Island Community advisory committee's report card finds demand for services is increasing
WAYNE THIBODEAU
The Guardian

It was the constant feeling of fear that bothered Paul the most.He was a young man in his early 20s who left the pastoral landscapes of Prince Edward Island for the excitement of one of Canada’s largest cities.But Vancouver did not hold the promise Paul, who asked that we not use his real name, had hoped for.Within weeks, he was on the streets.He started using drugs. For weeks the only place he had to lay his head was a jail cell, then he was back out on the streets.“I remember it was cold, it didn’t matter if it was sunny and warm or what the weather was it was always cold,” said Paul, who is now back in Prince Edward Island and living at a group home.“I was always hungry too.”But what Paul remembers most is always living in fear.“It was always a very fearful thing. I was always afraid or paranoid. It’s certainly not a sane or a safe way to live. It certainly isn’t.”A group called the P.E.I. Community Advisory Committee on Homelessness released its first P.E.I. Report Card on Homelessness.The report card documents the current state of homelessness in Prince Edward Island.The report card says in 2009 nearly 5,500 shelter beds were used, a number that surprised some front-line service workers.Women tend to seek shelter more than men.Ian Scott of the Salvation Army said homelessness is a problem in Prince Edward Island. He said the report indicates the problem is wider spread than even he thought. “It’s a hidden problem,” said Scott.“Charlottetown is one of those cities that hides issues like this really easily. The people we have coming in on a day-to-day basis would indicate that the problem is larger than it looks.”Scott said the problems are getting worse. He said demand for their services is increasing substantially.“The need for us here in Charlottetown since Christmas has just grown dramatically.”The report is calling for all three levels of government to come together to end homelessness.At the federal level, the report is calling for a National Housing Strategy; significant increase to programs including Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement and Employment Insurance, as well as increased supports for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.The report card calls on the provincial government to implement a poverty reduction strategy, something that has been in the works for years.Municipal governments need to commit resources to support community non-profit housing projects while individuals are being asked to welcome all types of housing in their neighbourhood including low-income housing.Sharon Cameron, deputy minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour, said any society is judged on the merits of how well it takes care of its most vulnerable people.Cameron was in attendance for the release of the report card. That happened at a noon news conference at the Salvation Army’s Charlottetown headquarters.“This is a very complicated issue,” said Cameron, adding the issue of homelessness cannot be tackled on its own without also looking at employment, disabilities, addiction and other contributing factors. “It’s sad and it’s unfortunate that in 2010 that any province has these kinds of issues that they have to deal with.”The report card’s authors hope to update it annually to hopefully measure the progress on the road to end homelessness in P.E.I.Paul’s long and winding road has turned around. He’s in treatment for both his addiction and his mental health issues. He’s living in a group home in Charlottetown. He believes that life on the street has made him a stronger person.“What had been a liability in them days, has become an asset for me today.”
By the numbers:
5,428: number of times shelter beds were used;242: number of individuals who stayed in a shelter;117: number of women;46: number of men;17: number of youth;68: number of individuals “turned away” from shelters;6: number of food banks in P.E.I.2: number of soup kitchens.SOURCE: P.E.I. Report Card on HomelessnessShelters:
In P.E.I. there are four emergency shelters in operation including:- Anderson House in Charlottetown, 20 beds;- Bedford MacDonald House in Charlottetown, 6 beds;- Grandmother’s House in Charlottetown, 6 beds;- Chief Mary Bernard Memorial Shelter in Lennox Island, 12 beds.- There are no emergency shelters in operation in Summerside, an issue raised as an area of concern by the report.SOURCE: P.E.I. Report Card on Homelessness