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The real cost of homelessness

September 27th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on The real cost of homelessness)

What happens if we shift our energies from managing the problem to actually trying to end homelessness?

It may seem counterintuitive to suggest that it is cheaper and more cost effective to provide people who experience homelessness with the housing and supports they need, rather than simply provide them with emergency supports through shelters and soup kitchens. But research reviewed by Stephen Gaetz of the Canadian Homelessness Research Network indicates that this is actually the case. (more…)

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Housing project promotes inclusive employment

July 5th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Housing project promotes inclusive employment)

Toronto’s Houselink is working to hire “people with lived experience”—including former clients—at all levels

Houselink Community Homes is a non-profit, charitable agency based in Toronto that provides a range of supportive housing options, individualized supports and community-based programs. As one of the pioneers in the concept of ‘supportive housing’, Houselink created a brand new option for people leaving psychiatric institutions: a home that was permanent, affordable and a support based environment. Houselink is currently home to over 430 members living in virtually every neighbourhood in the city of Toronto. (more…)

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Low-barrier housing project stalls

June 13th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Low-barrier housing project stalls)

Unexpected land negotiations with City of Nanaimo provide ‘challenges’ for housing organizations

A new low-barrier housing project is on ice in central Nanaimo as operators face unexpected land negotiations with the City of Nanaimo…. B.C. Housing announced last November that [Nanaimo Affordable Housing] and its partners, the Haven Society and Columbian Centre Society, would operate more than 35 low-barrier housing units on Dufferin Crescent. The project is part of the province’s $36.5-million funding commitment to see 165 housing units built in Nanaimo for the homeless and mentally ill.  Read the rest of this story at Nanaimo Daily News.

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Learning about therapeutic communities

February 16th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

People live in organized and structured environments to promote change, support a drug-free life in outside society

Therapeutic communities are drug-free environments in which people with addictions and other problems can live together in an organized and structured way. The community environment promotes change and can make a drug-free life possible. A number of therapeutic communities are operating on Vancouver Island. A symposium in Nanaimo will provide an overview of therapeutic communities and provide opportunities for partnerships to explore the development of therapeutic communities. (more…)

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Testing housing first for chronic alcoholics

February 16th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Testing housing first for chronic alcoholics)

A study shows that nonabstinence-based housing does not enable alcohol use, but actually decreases it

A controversial project using a housing-first approach with chronically alcoholic homeless people in Seattle has been shown to decrease overall alcohol consumption levels. The program, which is funded by the City of Seattle, allows homeless shelter residents to continue to use alcohol, with an overall goal to reduce both alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Now a study has found that the approach results in “across-the-board decreases in alcohol consumption and problems”, according to lead researcher Susan Collins. (more…)

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Hotels may get low-income option

January 21st, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

“New buildings take capital and time,” said Tom Grauman, executive director with the Columbia Centre Society. “The appeal of motels is that they are already contained units that just need refurbishing.”

Nanaimo city staff members could soon investigate the potential to turn hotel suites into low-income rentals.

The new research will be geared towards providing new options to hotels and motels looking to exit the hospitality industry. City staff members say the new hotel tax exemption bylaw is expected to increase the stock of quality hotel rooms in Nanaimo, but it could also make the industry too competitive for those already struggling with low occupancy rates.

Read the rest of this article at Nanaimo Daily News.