A Needfully Humane Societal Response

Federal and provincial infrastructure funding - to the tune of $6-million - is being usefully applied finally in an drive to buy and renovate an old hotel for the purpose of refashioning its purpose to act as a long-term solution to homelessness in Ottawa. And none too soon. Using a template program introduced by a former U.S. housing administrator, Philip Mangano, during the G.W.Bush White House, called the "housing-first initiative", this represents an alternative to the current hapless struggle to maintain the homeless.

At the present time, attempting to respond to the growing incidence of homelessness caused by a variety of societal factors, including drug- and alcohol-dependence, the de-institutionalization of the mentally handicapped, the growing incidence of unemployment, and teen runaways, the system is fairly ineffectual, consisting of emergency treatment for the homeless, averaging $100,00 in services per year per individual. Services consisting of emergency shelters, incarceration and emergency-room health services.

Resulting in a kind of holding pattern, which does nothing whatever to further the well-being of the homeless, and presents as an affront to decent society. The kind of supportive housing that the new initiative led by the Shepherds of Good Hope will result in, will usefully assist the homeless, providing them with the support they need, and costing in the region of an estimated $25,000 per year, per person.

Within the new supportive housing system - in this instance, the first of its kind to be established, in an old refurbished hotel on Merivale Road - will be on-site professionals to assist the residents with their struggle to overcome their dependencies and to teach those with mental problems to learn to live to the best of their abilities. This long overdue program will help the homeless find self-respect, dignity and the comfort of a home of their own where they will be safe and supported.

It will incentify those residents to become responsible for themselves, to enable them to reach for a greater potential in living out their lives off the streets and away from the ruinous temptations that have so far marred their lives. Ottawa police, municipal politicians, health authorities and civil activists are all in enthusiastic support of the project.

This is a long-overdue and positive change in thinking in the way that the municipality copes with their own responsibility to be of service to all residents, including the homeless. No city can live with dignity knowing that it harbours a large and growing group of homeless people. In Canada's dire winter climate it is highly dangerous for people living on the street; survival for some in their reduced health situation is highly problematical.

The homeless are subjects of discrimination from among the more fortunate in society who detest the very thought of people being so incapable of fending for themselves that they are a charge on the rest of society. Criminal elements within the community find the homeless easy targets for violence, and drug dealers find a ready market, the two intertwined in exploitation and need.

It's past time that this capital city looks to alternate and humane measures to meet the needs of vulnerable, miserable human beings who seem to have few other options than to slowly succumb to illness and a dessicated life on the streets. This initiative is socially, emotionally, practically and fiscally cost-benefit-effective.

A civil and just society is reflected in the steps it takes for the vulnerable among us.