Showing posts with label homeless. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeless. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The #1 hurdle to housing families in Calgary

I have asked numerous times that a damage deposit & 1st month's rent fund be created. This is the #1 hurdle to families becoming housed in Calgary.

The fund would be accessed as a loan. Repayment based on financial capacity.

Here's what damage deposit and 1st month's rent looks like on a $2000/month rental...

$2000 + $2000 = $4000 This must be paid before taking possession. Very difficult for a young family to both be unstable/homeless and save $4000.  

A single person, renting a basement suite at $800/month... $800 + $800 = $1600... Again, difficult to accomplish when not in a stable home environment. 

The City of Calgary has some very expensive maps, they just don't follow them. 

Here's an example from City of Calgary's "Social Outlook":
"A lack of sustainable funding also challenges
the ability of many agencies to provide longterm
support. At the same time, there is a lack
of coordination among service providers, and
competition for funding limits their ability to fully
explore and capitalize on partnership opportunities.
Access to programs and services could benefit
from partnerships between organizations such
as schools, family resource centres, mainstream
organizations, immigrant serving agencies and
ethno-cultural groups"
(Hurlock et al, 2004; Howard
Research, 2001, Boakye, 2009).


Social Outlook www.calgary.ca/CSPS/CNS/Documents/social_outlook_2011-2016.pdf

Thursday, December 22, 2011

St Pat's Housing for the Homeless is successful!


Identified as one of the only successful Occupy camps of the 1500 across the planet, the St Pat's organization continues to place individuals into programs for housing, education & employment. Additionally, counselling for a variety of issues is also being accessed from local agencies. A byproduct of the experience is an identification of best practices within the homeless network, as well as gleaning deeply relevant information on systemic ommissions and inefficiencies. There are significant chasms in service delivery, areas which St Pat's will target on the Compassion Continuum.


The St Pat's Co-op is formalizing and discussions continue with numerous local organizations, focused primarily on the One STOP Shop (employee owned BottleDepot, FarmersMarket, EmploymentAgency, HealthServices, Bike Repairs, Communications, Services, Supports, Training, et al) & the MHOPP (Micro Home Ownership Pilot Program) which includes the CCFI (Calgary Community Farm Initiative) on the TUC (Transportation and Utility Corridor).


St Pat's Co-op on Facebook

St Pat's Co-op Blog

Article 25 Food & Shelter UNHRD

HOME: Home Ownership Matters 2 Every1 & MHOPP

HOMES 4 the Holidays

CPR: Calgary Poverty Reduction

ReSTART

ARE3A: Ag + Recreation + Environment + Education + Entertainment + Art