Death and disease feared in local streets this winter

With winter in full force, residents in this area may be concerned for the safety of those who live in our streets. However, there are conflicting views on the best way to tackle the homelessness problem.

Cathy Crowe, co-founder the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee says the situation is getting worse, and her organization is prepared for emergencies this winter, including deaths from exposure and outbreaks of diseases, such as the flu, the Norwalk virus, as well as tuberculosis, which by last month had already infected two hostel workers this year in Toronto. Toronto Public Health estimates that 40 percent or more of homeless people are infected with latent tuberculosis.

“We’re consistently busy at this time of year as the weather gets colder,” says Maureen Houlihan, director of Hostels and Housing for the Christie-Ossington Neighbourhood Centre. “We’re 100 percent occupied at the men’s shelter,”

Crowe says although “the people that are running these programs are terrific,” shelters contribute to problems from a health perspective, as potentially infected homeless people move from shelter to shelter each night. “(Shelters) are one of the most dangerous responses to the homeless, it allows the city to rely on them, and it’s a space for a disease outbreak.”

Many homeless people, like John, prefer not to sleep in shelters. This 44-year-old former metal polisher lives by himself in an abandoned house. Although it has no heating or electricity, he stays warm with blankets, and survives through what he makes panhandling.

“I was staying in one of those places, and I had my clothes and my bag ripped off,” he says. The bag contained his identification, which he needs in order to receive welfare. “I want to get my ID, because you (can) get a welfare cheque. I want to get my own address, get a roof somewhere.”

Helping homeless people with matters such as getting their identification so they can have access to social programs is one of the approaches the city is taking to help the homeless, says Patchen Barss, spokesman for the mayor’s office. He says the city is increasing outreach efforts in order to assist people on an individual basis.

“Everyone who is homeless has a different situation, some have addiction problems, others are down on their luck. There’s a whole variety of things we can do for people to connect them with the resources they need to find a home.”

Barss says outreach workers are also helping homeless people reunite with their families and get counselling to help them with mental and physical problems, including addiction. The city is trying to get as many people as possible into housing, as opposed to shelters, he says.

“It’s more efficient, and it’s a long term solution. We’re looking to get them off the street, keep them off the street and allow them to lead more fulfilling lives.”

The Christie-Ossington Neighbourhood Centre recently opened a transitional housing facility at 973 Lansdowne Ave. It has small bachelor apartments which are geared to income for 20 of the longtime residents of their men’s shelter. Houlihan says the tenants are “very excited” about the project. As well, city council has recently approved a new affordable housing project planned by St. Clare’s Multifaith Housing Society at 138 Pears Ave. The project will have 96 units of affordable housing in a former hotel in the Avenue Rd. and Davenport Ave. area. However, some local residents, who did not want such a project in their residential neighbourhood, pressured the city to halt the project.

Margaret Vandenbroucke, co-chair of the Homelessness Action Group which operates Out of the Cold, says. “The whole ‘not in my backyard’ attitude has been a major stumbling block. Most of the shelters and services have been downtown, but it’s up to people in all parts of the city to take responsibility for their neighbourhoods. These oppositions tend to be based on misinformation and irrational theories. It’s very rare that there have been any complaints about people in (affordable) housing, they blend into the community.”

Many housing activists are disappointed with the Ontario government’s sluggishness at delivering funding for projects intended to help the homeless, including the 35,000 rent supplements promised in their election campaign. On Nov. 24, the province announced a five-year pilot project, where they will provide matching funds with participating landlords, to result in a monthly $300 rent subsidy for 400 needy households in Toronto.

“There is a government commitment to provide 35,000 housing allowances, and the pilot is the first step towards meeting that commitment,” says Kevin Sullivan, a spokesperson for Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. He says that the pilot program will have to get underway and be assessed before any more subsidies are added. In response to this announcement, Crowe says the government promised much more, but says she’s happy about the subsidies.

So what is one to do if they want to help the homeless during this winter season? Vandenbroucke says it’s important to make politicians aware of the importance of this issue.

“If members of the public want to do something, it could be maybe to pressure the provincial government for more capital funding for housing. People can talk to their members of parliament, members of provincial parliament and councillors about it, and stress their concerns.”

If you would like to take a more hands-on approach, Houlihan says volunteering as well as donating to organizations for the homeless can make a big difference.

“We always need volunteers, they can help with things like serving meals, cleaning, maintenance, all sorts of things. We also need donations of clothing, personal hygiene products like soaps, razors, scarves and hats. Donations of money are also always welcome.”