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Homelessness & Addiction


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#1 Caramia

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Posted 11 June 2008 - 05:23 PM

How do candidates for the 2008 election intend to resolve Homelessness and Addiction issues in Victoria's downtown?

#2 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 11 June 2008 - 05:51 PM

How do candidates for the 2008 election intend to resolve Homelessness and Addiction issues in Victoria's downtown?


Oh, I don't know. Saanich, Central Saanich, North Saanich, Sidney, Highlands, Colwood, Metchosin, Langford, Highlands, Oak Bay and even Esquimalt don't have all that obvious a problem. I wonder why Victoria is so screwed up.

#3 Nparker

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Posted 11 June 2008 - 05:55 PM

AMALGAMATION

#4 Caramia

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Posted 11 June 2008 - 07:11 PM

Well maybe we need to ask the councillors running for office in those municipalities?

Btw the purpose of these thread is to get a clear idea of what the various candidates platforms are around issues, so lets try to keep this from being about our opinions and try to keep it clean so folks can use it as a resource for candidate's positions - if you see any press or websites that state the platforms and want to copy text over that would be awesome!

We will probably merge any other comments onto existing issues threads.

#5 Ms. B. Havin

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Posted 12 June 2008 - 07:24 AM

Well maybe we need to ask the councillors running for office in those municipalities?


That is an excellent idea! This forum in fact represents an already amalgamated city -- after all, we don't limit conversations here just to the core, or to one municipality, do we? And so we should continue that regional approach if we're going to talk about the agendas and platforms of anyone running for office in any of the municipalities.

We look at the city as a whole, and think about problems in terms of how they cut across these artificial boundaries (OB, Saanich, Vic, Esq.). Asking candidates in those other munis about issues that politics has falsely divvied up (and made a "Victoria" problem) would be a great way to break down those artificial barriers.
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#6 Barra

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Posted 12 September 2008 - 11:50 AM

Thanks to Canada's system of government, Victoria is the "host" for a significant problem with homelessness, but it is the federal and provincial governments that are responsible for housing, social and health programs. The city does not have a budget for building facilities or providing detox or mental health supports. The Mayor has established a Coalition on Homelessness, which has representatives of several municipalities and most social agencies in the city. It is charged with meeting the targets of the Task Force on Homelessness Addiction and Mental Illness, but at this point it is not clear how this is going to come about. In Calgary it was the private sector that took the lead on this and has been somewhat successful in providing more shelter. Maybe we need private sector reps on the Coalition.
We also need policies and procedures for accessing the money that is in Victoria's Affordable Housing Fund. It has only ever been used for 2 projects (rehabbing a former crack house in Burnside area, and the Fernwood Resource Group's Cornerstone Project. Lets loosen up access to this money.
The Mayor and Councilor need to be agressive in pushing the province and the feds in providing more assistance. The province has been funding shelter beds and supported housing, but the federal government has refused to even acknowledge that Victoria has a housing crisis.
Pieta VanDyke

#7 Sue Woods

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Posted 20 September 2008 - 07:58 PM

I think amalgamation/municipal integration would go a long way towards helping solve urban social issues. More later.
Thx Sue

#8 Caramia

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Posted 23 September 2008 - 12:48 PM

From Phillipe Lucas's website - the only issue he has any information on so far is Harm Reduction and Drugs.

Philippe Lucas is currently a Master’s candidate in the University of Victoria’s Studies in Policy and Practice program, and a Graduate Research Fellow with the Center for Addictions Research of B.C. A former local school teacher and childcare specialist, he is currently Executive Director of the Vancouver Island Compassion Society, and the co-Director of Compassionate Consulting, a private consultancy firm focused on public and community health research. Additionally, he is Director of Communications for DrugSense, an international drug policy think-tank based in California. This work has led to some interesting opportunities, including invitations to testify before both the Canadian Senate and House of Commons as an expert on drug policy, and consultations with a number of American and international governmental bodies, including being invited to meet with the Israeli Ministry of Health in Tel Aviv in August 2007 to discuss their nascent medical cannabis program. Philippe’s hard work and research has also led to some recognition and awards, including the University of Victoria’s Blue and Gold Award for community service and academic achievement in 2007, and the Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition Award for Leadership.

<<snip>>

Philippe is an active member of the Committee to End Homelessness in Victoria, Harm Reduction Victoria, and also volunteers with FoodRoots and the Quadra Village Garden Group. He is a former member of the City of Victoria Downtown Advisory Committee, and as an internationally recognized drug policy and addictions researcher, he currently serves on the Center for Addictions Research of B.C.’s Board of Advisors.


Nowadays most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one's mistakes.
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891

#9 Caramia

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Posted 23 September 2008 - 12:54 PM

An interesting story here about Phillipe Lucas..

Marijuana 'Pharmacist' Wins Praise for his Work
Judge in Philippe Lucas's drug-bust case
lauds his business conduct and altruism

Source: globeandmail.com,
Thursday, July 11, 2002
by Tom Hawthorn

Nowadays most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one's mistakes.
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891

#10 Caramia

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Posted 20 October 2008 - 01:17 PM

Copied from a post on Rob Reid's website. Here is my take on the difference between Dean and Rob's approach to the issue of street camping.

One difference between his response to the homeless right to shelter themselves and Deans was that Dean wants to spend tax money getting an appeal lodged so that the homeless people in our parks will no longer be able to put up a tarp or tent. Rob Reid would rather focus that money on getting on with providing more shelters and safe spaces.

Other than that, my understanding is that both support the Mayor's Task Force in their "housing first" policy, and both support bylaws and policies that will not allow the "right to erect a shelter overnight" to become "the right to create a permanent camp."


Have any of the other candidates given their reactions?
Nowadays most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one's mistakes.
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891

#11 Sue Woods

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Posted 23 October 2008 - 11:58 PM

Given the limited time we candidates have at meetings these days, I am posting my ideas about what we should/could do to solve homelessness in Victoria.

The City of Victoria needs to be unrelenting in applying pressure on senior governments to make substantive progress towards solving the problem. Tent city is not a solution and the City needs to stand firm in adhering to new policy guidelines preventing tent cities from taking over parks/public spaces.

I believe in the “housing first” model to help the homeless to get back on their feet. We need a simple, concise, understandable and measurable plan to solve what now has become an urgent problem - so other issues of importance to our municipality can come to the forefront.

The federal government needs to work with their provincial counterparts to create the funding necessary for long-term social housing. In addition to providing more money, the provincial government must take immediate guardianship of the mentally ill by providing 24-hour supervised care in new facilities or by re-opening Riverview and Essendale. The minimum wage needs to be raised, as well as an increase in shelter allowances for people living in poverty and on disability.

We need strong, consistent leadership and coordination from City Hall - not flip-flopping and political opportunism.
Similiar to other cities where the private and faith sectors have taken the lead in providing more shelter through rent subsidies and affordable development, the city should partner with socially conscious (big picture) developers and ask them for their ideas and to help create solutions. Individual citizens can join the City in putting pressure on senior government by lobbying their MP’s and MLA’s. I believe this can be achieved if we set clear targets and apply the same passion and vision we currently dedicate to protecting our environment.

Following is how I would get around the challenges other politicians have faced on this issue.

Lack of regional buy-in: I support amalgamation into three regions but until that becomes a reality, I would work to mobilize the other twelve municipalities in the CRD to put pressure on senior government to provide capital and operational funding for social housing. United with a voice of 380,000 residents.

Concentration of street services in the downtown core: I recognize that, as the largest urban core in the CRD, Victoria has a disproportionate number of people needing services. What I would like to see are hard statistics, complied by an independent body, so we can quickly identify the numbers of those in need and specific services required.

NIMBYism: When the community sees a defined, common sense plan with buy-in from senior government, the City and the private sector, I believe there will be a greater sense of comfort. I also believe most people want to help in ways we have not tapped into – and the power of hope can bring about an extraordinary shift away from fear towards cooperation.

Drugs, crime and vandalism affecting downtown: I will support any initiative that promotes people turning their lives around based on a helping hand up, not a free ride. We also need to face the fact that some on the streets are living a counter culture drug lifestyle, which places a heavy burden on business and residents to deal with increasing squalor. I would like to see Victoria embrace a Community Court Pilot Project to reverse neighborhood decay and improve public confidence in justice while linking offenders with options for rehab, employment training, and mental health services. I am also in favour of providing civic support to the Con Air Program to get habitual criminals off our streets.

In closing, I personally understand the issue because I experienced poverty in my childhood - and have faced the challenges inherent in raising two children on my own as a single parent. Cheers for now, Sue

#12 Sue Woods

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Posted 24 October 2008 - 09:15 AM

Below are some of my specific ideas/goals that I believe could help in many ways...

1) Re-craft our land use bylaws so the City can assume the role of ‘landlord’ in building and managing supported and co-op housing in neighbourhoods and on public land, including vacant buildings and underutilized school lands.

2) Lobby the Solicitor General to allow for a city-run lottery (similar to Lotto 649) with all proceeds going towards construction and to help offset operational costs.

3) The City should create a 'host family inventory’ to provide temporary emergency placement to ensure that no child ever has to sleep in a motel or shelter.

4) I would like to see are hard statistics, compiled by an independent body, to quickly identify the numbers of those in need and specific services required. (Homeless through poverty/mental illness/ incapacitated by addiction/ and those facing homelessness?) How many children are involved? How many have original family members we can involve to lend a hand?

5) Establish a coalition of addiction recovery residential programs, including an alternative community model like Woodwyn farm, with funding (from senior gov/ city lottery/ private scotr) for those ready to change their lives.

6) Encourage homeowners to build secondary suites with a willingness to accept rent subsidies from the city on behalf of tenants in need.

7) Community work programs for able bodied street youth in exchange for rent subsidies and food coupons, similar to the US Food Stamp Program.


Thanks and look forward to your feedback and suggestions. Sue

#13 Mike K.

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Posted 24 October 2008 - 10:36 AM

3) The City should create a 'host family inventory’ to provide temporary emergency placement to ensure that no child ever has to sleep in a motel or shelter.

What a wonderful idea, Susan :)

6) Encourage homeowners to build secondary suites with a willingness to accept rent subsidies from the city on behalf of tenants in need.


...interesting concept here as well.

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#14 mat

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Posted 24 October 2008 - 10:09 PM

Sue - all of your ideas are well stated, and obviously come from a deep care for the city, and the CRD as a whole.

The best idea is the one Mike rightly pointed out - subsidized secondary suites rentals, with a willingness for the city, maybe out of a Provincial co-fund, to ensure the owners, as well as, the assigned renters, have an office/social worker to contact, and assist, with any difficulties (we can all imagine those). Despite the potential problems, done well, this idea could really engage the community, put more suites 'into the open', ensure those suites meet code, and put people who cannot afford housing into different neighbourhoods, not into shelters, or grouped housing.

The 'host' family idea, for those with children - eh? Is that not the bailiwick of Child and Family Services? Not only is that possibly stepping on Provincial and Charter laws over the rights of children, and whose authority is under a Provincial Ministry; getting qualified, accredited, and experienced host families for emergency shelter is a priority challenge, and proving difficult. Provincial social workers we know describe the current situation as a near crisis. Would you see the City taking over certain family cases from the Province?

#15 Sue Woods

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Posted 25 October 2008 - 12:12 AM

The 'host' family idea, for those with children - eh? Is that not the bailiwick of Child and Family Services? Not only is that possibly stepping on Provincial and Charter laws over the rights of children, and whose authority is under a Provincial Ministry; getting qualified, accredited, and experienced host families for emergency shelter is a priority challenge, and proving difficult. Provincial social workers we know describe the current situation as a near crisis. Would you see the City taking over certain family cases from the Province?



Hi Mat.

Every month, between 30 and 50 families are added to the Burnside/Gorge Community Centre's Homeless Family Outreach caseload. Shelters are generally designed for singles, and do not meet the needs of families so most are placed in small, inadequate, one-room motels. I have been asked what resources I would fight for to stabilize and house families in this situation.

So I put on my thinking cap and what came out was the thought to seek permission from the Attorney General to allow the city to create a 'city lottery' (a step up from leaving us twiddling our thumbs and waaaaiting for a check) to cover construction and operational costs of permanent supportive housing with families in mind. I think many residents would participate in such a relevant activity, like they do most Wednesday’s with Lotto 649.

The idea about creating a 'host family' inventory for temporary emergency placement for children may appear to eat into the provincial social services mandate - but - the arrangement would be to also give the parent(s) shelter as well. Therefore the children would not be left alone to be at risk. Obviously the program would only apply to families experiencing poverty due to unemployment or illness or family breakdown. Not the addicted or mentally ill which require far different assistance. My thoughts go to the children at risk in motel rooms and that we can surely strive to do better for them at least.

I think the City can lead the way by appealing to residents to help provide a warm safe place to help in ‘temporary situations’ while the family in need connects with resources and permanent placement in co-op type structures that the City needs to champion. Billeting in private homes is often done between schools, sports and arts organizations hosting out of town visitors with no need to involve the Ministry. Wouldn’t it be inspiring if people would find space in their lives/homes/ empty in-law suites/ converted garages to provide a helping hand. Also, many churches, community asscoations, and recreation centres have lower hall space that could be converted into basic accommodation.

I know this sounds impossible – and perhaps it is – but ideas are free so I like to play with them. And we sure do live in times that require innovation and never-tried-before solutions.

Cheers, Sue

#16 stdavid

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Posted 25 October 2008 - 10:47 AM

[quote name='Barra']Thanks to Canada's system of government, Victoria is the "host" for a significant problem with homelessness, but it is the federal and provincial governments that are responsible for housing, social and health programs. The city does not have a budget for building facilities or providing detox or mental health supports. The Mayor has established a Coalition on Homelessness, which has representatives of several municipalities and most social agencies in the city. It is charged with meeting the targets of the Task Force on Homelessness Addiction and Mental Illness, but at this point it is not clear how this is going to come about. In Calgary it was the private sector that took the lead on this and has been somewhat successful in providing more shelter. Maybe we need private sector reps on the Coalition.
We also need policies and procedures for accessing the money that is in Victoria's Affordable Housing Fund. It has only ever been used for 2 projects (rehabbing a former crack house in Burnside area, and the Fernwood Resource Group's Cornerstone Project. Lets loosen up access to this money.
The Mayor and Councilor need to be agressive in pushing the province and the feds in providing more assistance. The province has been funding shelter beds and supported housing, but the federal government has refused to even acknowledge that Victoria has a housing crisis.[/quote]

Your right of course. The problem is as long as the Federal Govt. doesn't need the seats in BC to maintain power little will change. If we had the number of seats that our friends in Quebec had we would have the money within a week. It doesn't matter what Federal Govt. is in power or what party they represent, that will never change.

#17 Sue Woods

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Posted 25 October 2008 - 11:25 AM

[quote] St David: The problem is as long as the Federal Govt. doesn't need the seats in BC to maintain power little will change. If we had the number of seats that our friends in Quebec had we would have the money within a week. It doesn't matter what Federal Govt. is in power or what party they represent, that will never change.[/quote]

All true but the city can do a LOT more - like Toronto and Calgary and Portland and the list goes on of many other N. American cities who took ownership of the problems AND the solutions. Let's be the city we are - of great thinkers - charitable hearts. Embarass Ottawa - not be at the affect of it. Sue

#18 ted - 3 - dots

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Posted 26 October 2008 - 08:18 AM

[quote name='stdavid'][quote name='Barra'][B]

(snip-snip )

. In Calgary it was the private sector that took the lead on this and has been somewhat successful in providing more shelter.
QUOTE]


-------- a quick correction ----------

I'm in constant contact with homeless-activists in Calgary .

Most of the "down-town" shelter-beds are closed ...!
( the land sold off to the Stamped-Board of directors )

The DISPLACED have flooded the other shelters , out-side the downtown core.

So dispite the Alberta-Secritariet coming to Victoria & painting a rose-colored picture, Mr. Snyder was unaware of what has been going on in Calgary ...!

------- Extra , I regret having to turn over the recordings I made
to the person who paid for it ...!!!!!!!!!!!!
( would like to have posted them on the Internet myself )

oh well ...

We don't need Alberta telling us , what we can learn on our own ...!

go to this website : http://www.endhomelessness.org '> http://www.endhomelessness.org

( look under Tools & Training )

http://www.endhomele...arplan/elements '> http://www.endhomele...arplan/elements

ted... ( please have a look for your self )

Once we have a plan , it's harder for the Fed's to ignor it ...!

;{-



.

#19 Audrey

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Posted 12 November 2008 - 01:22 PM

Is it overly naive of me to hope that if all the municipalities did their part to increase density and provide rental units (secondary suites, laneway housing), there might be a trickle-down effect of freeing up housing at all levels?

I went to the Oak Bay All-Candidates Meeting and I felt a little ill when I realized that my positive sentiment about legalized suites was not so universally popular as I'd hoped. A significant chunk of Oak Bay is convinced that letting renters in will clutter up the streets with cars and change the nature of their community.

#20 Chris J

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Posted 12 November 2008 - 01:35 PM

That's one of the things that has to happen. There needs to be those kinds of things creating the 'trickle down effect' as well as projects operating from the grassroots up (tent cities and other temporary measures) to close the gap.

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