WILL THIS MODEL WORK FOR YOUR COMMUNITY?
Our appreciation to the Tyee for the article and photos.
This is an article on the former Woodwards Building in Vancouver which was purchased by the city and converted to single units.
"The project came into being after the 2002 “Woodward’s Squat,” a three-month-long occupation of the long-vacant site of the former Woodward’s department store to demand more social housing. Under pressure from anti-poverty activists, and the election of the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) to city hall, the City bought the land from the province in 2003, launched a consultation process and ultimately engaged private partners to redevelop the site."
"Those 125 beds rent for a flat $375 a month, equivalent to social assistance shelter rates. The remaining 75 rent-geared-to-income units occupy their own floors in the neighbouring, largely market towers."
“One of the reasons why I moved into the Portland was because it took people in who were some of the hardest of the hardest to house,” she said. “At the time, I was not accepted in a lot of other housing agencies.”
"The move into Woodward’s, the 34-year-old said, “totally changed my life. I didn’t have to fight anymore. I wasn’t sitting in my room listening to people conspiring to kill other people, making weapons, thinking they were going to come for me."
This is really the way to go for every community. Thanks for sharing the details.
I find it interesting in that we Americans often look to Sweden and other Scandinavian countries for solutions to social problems but not on this issue.
"Homelessness is an issue that plagued Sweden for a long time. Well known for its national welfare system, the Swedish government provides a large safety net for its citizens to fall back on if they ever fall ill or lose their job. The Swedish government provides universal healthcare, family support and financial support for the elderly and retired. All Swedes, regardless of need, could call upon the government to receive the benefits provided by the Swedish welfare system. However, this doesn’t mean that the Swedish welfare completely shelters its residents from homelessness. What is causing homelessness in Sweden? Who are the homeless people in the famous welfare state? What is being done to alleviate this issue?"
https://borgenproject.org/the-state-of-homelessnesss-in-sweden/
It would seem from the post above that we need to turn to British Columbia for a model. The homeless situation in S. California, particularly Venice is out of control.