“All over the states and to a lesser degree in Canada, homeless advocacy groups and agencies are reporting the most visible rise in homelessness on our city streets, parks and pretty much anywhere you can pitch a tent (for those lucky enough to have a tent). The city of Santa Barbara has even given over a parking lot to people who sleep in cars and vans.
Rising prices, falling markets and U.S. banks forcing people out of their homes aren’t helping the situation. Throw in an occasional hurricane and there are thousands of people no longer living where they used to call home.
Yet, there seems to be thousands of homes sitting empty. How strange? Thousands need a home and thousands of homes are empty….wait…..it’s coming…. Eureka!
Now before you send Don Cherry to run me out of the country, admit it. It does sound a little goofy doesn’t it? Like going to the doctor and saying “It hurts when I do this…ouch!” to which the doctor replies “Then don’t do that!”
This past spring, the 2008 Homeless count found the number of homeless between Burnaby and Maple Ridge has doubled since 2005, finding 2,660 homeless people in Metro Vancouver. No doubt the numbers are actually higher, but of those identified as homeless, more than half (1,372) remain in the city of Vancouver. Surrey had the next highest total at (402). Other cities numbers were: New Westminster (123), North Vancouver (116), the Tri-cities (91), Burnaby (84), Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows (85) Richmond (56).
The top reasons for living on the streets: lack of income (25%), cost of housing (19%), addictions (17%) family problems (10%).
These numbers included 100 fully employed people. The average age of a homeless person is 41 and 94 of the homeless were children. Half of the homeless have been on the streets for a year or more. 58%stayed outside at night. Welfare recipients can receive the standard shelter allowance of $325 a month – a rate that hasn’t changed in 12 years.
Vancouver’s new mayor Gregor Robertson stated “My first order of business is to call an emergency task force on homelessness and to focus on how we get people off the street as quickly as possible in to temporary housing or shelter.”
Let’s hope he can keep his word.”
SUMMARY AND MY RESPONSE
In the downturn of the economy, the number of homeless people are seemingly growing at staggering rates. Vancouver’s homeless population, having the highest number of homeless people among its neighboring cities, seems to be getting worst before 2010. As well, having 94 homeless children living on the streets, and 100 fully employed workers, there is definitely a need for a plan to stop the already high numbers from growing. Perhaps an increase in the $325 allowance that was set since 1997 is an option?
It seems like the new Mayor of Vancouver, Greg Robertson, has plans to get these people off the street as quickly as possible. But I wonder what will be the long term consequences of dealing with the issue this way?!
