Taking on homelessness in Steinbach

About 200 people came to the Steinbach EMC Church on Monday to take in a presentation on homelessness in the Southeast, hosted by The INN, (Initiative for Neighbourly Nights), an organization planning to build transitional housing for those currently on the streets.

The evening served as a way for those with questions to get answers as the board shared their plan to build a facility at 447 Main Street that will be home to a maximum of 30 residents, will offer 24/7 staffing and will help connect guests to other resources in the community.

Frequently asked questions were addressed both with material offered at the door, and in speeches from The INN board chair Leona Doerksen and Siloam Mission community education coordinator Paul Loewen.

These included addressing property values which will not drop. Studies show no decrease in value and in a significant number of cases a slight increase in neighbouring property values.

They shared their risk mitigation plan to keep the neighbourhood safe, pointing out that studies show that if people aren’t given access to a safe home and supportive services, crime rates will continue to increase.

They also addressed issues such as density, neighbourhood character, resident behaviour and why the chosen location is the ideal place.

But it was Loewen who shared his knowledge of homelessness that seemed to capture attendees’ attention the most.

He said the homelessness problem in Winnipeg is increasing, saying last summer was the first in history that they did not drop below capacity.

He shared that systems, trauma and “otherization” have combined in a perfect storm. Past decisions such as the federal government’s decision to stop with housing initiatives established after the Second World War, downloading them to the province and then cutting back funding in the early ‘90s have exacerbated the issue.

“For 30 years we have underbuilt affordable housing in Canada,” he said.

Even definitions have changed. In the 1960s and 70s, affordable housing was defined as housing that could be paid for with 30 percent of net income, including rent or mortgage, taxes and utilities.

Now it’s defined by any housing that is available for 80 percent or less of the median rental rate in that neighbourhood.

He said trauma, which many people carry, cannot be solved if basic needs are not met.

Loewen also talked about the fallacy that homelessness leads to addiction and that addiction leads to homelessness.

He pointed to American statistics that showed there were 600,000 homeless people. Yet there were 17.6 million alcoholics, 2.9 million cocaine addicts and 2.3 million meth addicts.

Instead, trauma is the main cause. People who’ve had five or more traumatic events are 46 times more likely to have an addiction.

The resulting stress causes people to make short term decisions, rather than plan for the long term.

Loewen said it’s possible to end homelessness in 10 years if we work hard.

“I am absolutely convinced homelessness does not need to exist,” he said. “The question is if we’re willing to try.”

Loewen also pointed out that according to his most recent statistics it cost $18,000 annually to house a person, far less than the $49,000 cost to pay for all the services used by the average member of the homeless population.

The INN

Board chair Leona Doerksen also shared their motivations for the shelter, telling the crowd it began as an idea for a warming shelter but quickly changed to a transitional home allowing people to have a safe place so they can put the pieces of their lives back together.

They chose the property because it had the proper zoning, neighboured residential and social services, a combination that most aptly describes The INN, and would need no variances or public hearings.

That changed after city council inserted a provision into the new zoning plan that a shelter like this will now require its own public hearing. A public hearing on the zoning plan will occur on April 1.

The Steinbach mayor and council was invited to the event. Only one councillor attended.

“We still believe 447 Main Street is the perfect location,” Doerksen explained.

With over $100,000 in cash donations, a plan from contractor Hillside Construction and pledges from the trades they plan to have shovels in the ground this spring and construction completed this year.

“Not one more winter would go by risking losing another mother’s son on our streets,” she said. “There will be room at The INN.”

Reflection

After the event, Loewen said he hoped people left with an understanding that homelessness is a direct result of policy decisions at all levels. He also expressed his optimism.

“Basically, homelessness is solvable, but it will take a collective effort,” he said.

He also praised the plans for The INN.

“I think that their approach is absolutely what needs to be done, and I think it is one step in a broader societal plan to hopefully actually end homelessness,” he said.

Doerksen also thought the evening was a success.

“Our hope by bringing Paul out was to help build compassion and understanding and empathy in the community,” she said. “If we’ve never helped someone who was homeless or knew someone that was homeless, it’s hard to understand.”