[homeles_ot-l] Big win in TO with panhandler plan FW: WI backgrounder: Michael Shapcott

[Lynne Browne]

FYI – a more positive, community building response in Toronto that has been
influenced by the ‘costs’ discussion …

Lynne

   _____  

From: Michael Shapcott [mailto:Michael at wellesleyinstitute.com] 
Sent: May 6, 2008 7:17 AM
To: nhhn-can at povnet.org
Cc: Christine Seguin (cseguin at chfc.ca)
Subject: [hhno-on] WI backgrounder: Big win in TO with panhandler plan


Toronto City Council's powerful Executive Committee has unanimously adopted
a detailed panhandling strategy that bucks the terrible trend throughout
North America to criminalize activities associated with homelessness,
housing insecurity and poverty. The plan recognizes that there are
socio-economic and health issues that drive people to beg for change on the
city's streets and, therefore, the best response is not to arrest and ticket
panhandlers, but to ensure that they have access to housing, supports and
income. 


It was particularly heartening to see representatives from Toronto's
business, tourism and entertainment all stand in support of this plan -
along with the Wellesley Institute. Even Toronto Police Services spoke
against criminalizing panhandling and in favour of the approach that tackles
the fundamental concerns. Just one year ago, many business groups and others
were clamouring for a police-led crackdown on panhandling.

The TO plan, which still needs the approval of City Council later this
month, calls for a "housing first" approach to dealing with panhandling. It
recognizes that growing poverty and housing insecurity are driving most
people to beg on the streets, and that a significant number also suffer from
physical and mental health concerns, including substance use. But instead of
condemning the poor for being poor, the Toronto plan commits about $5
million to help panhandlers find affordable homes, an adequate income and
the supports that they need. 

The Wellesley Institute, in our submission to the committee, noted that the
Statistics Canada data released last Thursday confirms the dire trend in
growing income inequality in Toronto. We also pointed out that many cities -
including New York City - have tried to criminalize activities associated
with homelessness (including panhandling), only to find that this costs more
and doesn't actually reduce the number of homeless people. And we called on
the city to re-double its efforts to ensure that there is adequate housing
and services for those who need it.

We've noted in our municipal budget submission that Toronto needs to ramp up
its spending on housing and services, needs to re-double its efforts to
convince senior levels of government to renew critical investments in
housing and other social infrastructure and, until a comprehensive housing
and anti-poverty strategy is adopted and funded by senior levels of
government, needs to ensure that the city's emergency relief system -
including homeless shelters - are properly funded. 

One key factor that swayed many councillors was a simple message: The cost
of doing nothing far outweights the cost of an effective and practical
solution. That's the core message from the Wellesley Institute's Blueprint
to End Homelessness, which was released in 2006, and city councillors and
city officials quoted our Blueprint in support of sensible and humane plan
to address the real needs of panhandlers.

- Michael

 

* * *
 
Michael Shapcott
Director of Community Engagement
The Wellesley Institute
45 Charles Street East, #101
Toronto, ON., Canada M4Y 1S2
Tel. - 416-972-1010, x231
Mobile - 416-605-8316
Fax - 416-921-7228
HYPERLINK "http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/"www.wellesleyinstitute.com
 

Lynne Browne 
Coordinator, Alliance to End Homelessness 
147 Besserer Street, Ottawa ON  K1N 6A7 
613-241-7913 x 205, lbrowne at ysb.on.ca 
www.endhomelessnessottawa.ca 

 


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