Marginswebinarjan152010 V2

It’s time to bring Canadians in from the margins
A Wellesley Institute webinar with
Senator Art Eggleton
January 15, 2010
The Hon. Art Eggleton, P.C.
Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

Introductionby Michael Shapcott, Wellesley Institute
Welcome byRick Blickstead, Wellesley Institute
In from the Margins, A conversation with Senator Art Eggleton
What Happens Next?
Parliament: Where is the Report Now?
Community: What Can We Do Next?
Questions and comments
January 15, 2010
Our agenda
2

Questions
Type them in the chat box (bottom right)
We will answer what we can and address any others after the webinar
Technical concerns
Our team is standing by…
Pop-up polls – throughout the webinar
Additional resources
January 15, 2010
Introduction
3

The Wellesley Institute advances urban health through rigorous research, pragmatic policy solutions, social innovation, and community action.

“We have seen homelessness and poverty become increasingly worse as Canada has become increasingly richer.”
Bruce Porter, Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation
Even when people get all possible income and social supports, they are still in poverty
At their worst, existing policies and programs trap people in poverty
Poverty, housing, homelessness
January 15, 2010
5

Interaction of personal and systemic factors
Feedback Loop:
Aboriginal people, single parents (usually women), people with disabilities, and immigrants most affected
Poverty: Complex issue
January 15, 2010
6

“It costs $48,000 a year to leave someone on the street. It costs $28,000 a year to house them. That argument has been around a long time. It does not seem to make any difference.”
Kim Kerr, Executive Director, Downtown Eastside Residents Association
Health-care , policing, education costs
Diminished economic and social progress
But…
It’s not just about spending more, it’s about spending smarter
Poverty: Costly issue
January 15, 2010
7

The “policy orphan” – avoided by federal government and private sector
Cost of homelessness – national price tag is up to $6 billion a year
Income poverty – having a good job is no longer guarantees a good home
Focus on Housing
January 15, 2010
8

Let’s evaluate a few promising practices, starting with the big ones
Before we get started, let’s do a quick poll using the poll buttons (on the right)
January 15, 2010
How is Canada doing?
9

Federal funding for new housing
Launched in 2001
Renewed for 5 years in 2008
But…
No long-term commitment
The rules keep changing
January 15, 2010
Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI)
Make it permanent
Increase funding
Recommended
10

Federal funding for housing repairs
But…
RRAP needs to be secure
Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP)
Make it permanent
Increase funding
Recommended
January 15, 2010
11

Communities create local plans that are then funded by federal government
But…
Limited to 61 communities across Canada
National Homelessness Initiative (NHI)
Sustain NHI until a comprehensive federal strategy is developed
Recommended
January 15, 2010
12

Federal funding (2006) for housing
$800 million for affordable housing
$300 million for Northern housing
$300 million for Aboriginal housing
But…
Lack of evaluation
No long-term commitment
Housing trust funds
Expand and sustain the funds
Create accountability
Recommended
January 15, 2010
13

Federal subsidies paid to tenants or landlords
But…
Federal funding has been dramatically reduced
Housing allowances
Use rent supplements to provide fast access
Include portable housing allowances
Recommended
January 15, 2010
14

Provides surplus federal lands for housing
But…
Lengthy and bureaucratic process
Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative (SFRPHI)
Make SFRPHI a priority of the Canada Lands Corporation
Expedite process
Recommended
January 15, 2010
15

Federal funding for urban Aboriginal peoples
Introduced in 1998
Successful in helping Aboriginal peoples
But…
Housing is not a priority in the mandate
Urban Aboriginal Strategy
Greater investment and collaboration
Subsidies to off-reserve non-profit Aboriginal housing providers
Create an Aboriginal working group
Recommended
January 15, 2010
16

Current taxation policy does not encourage development of social housing projects on a large scale
Taxation policy
New White Paper on tax measures for construction of affordable rental housing, including the donation of funds, lands or buildings
Recommended
January 15, 2010
17

Canada does not yet have coherent, national approach to housing and homelessness
Current federal programs are
Insufficient
Inadequate
Without any long-term commitment
No coherent national policy
January 15, 2010
18

WANTED
National housing and homelessness strategy
January 15, 2010

Released in December 2009
Debate in Senate delayed to early March
Adoption is expected because the committee is bi-partisan (assuming no election)
Government will have 150 days to respond
Parliament is suspended!Where is the Report now?
January 15, 2010
20

Thanks for joining us, but let’s get focused on what we can do
Join Michael Shapcott on the Wellesley blog
What’s next for us?
Get Presentation Notes
Use the Recommendation Guide to the Report
Join the Housing e-Map
Tell us the issues that are most crucial in your community
January 15, 2010
21

Questions and Comments
January 15, 2010

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Marginswebinarjan152010 V2

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Marginswebinarjan152010 V2 — Presentation Transcript