Had the privilege of reading #WeCanDoBetter by Dr. David Goldbloom (son of Dr. Richard Goldbloom). The last chapter on #mentahealth and #homelessness should be mandatory reading @MikeSavageHFX and @nspc @TimHoustonNS. Here’s the synopsis is (thread):
200,000 people in Canada are estimated to be homeless. More than the entire population of St. John’s NFLD.
Cost per person living with mental illness (excluding medications) who are homeless: $56,000.
Homelessness is an expensive issue.
Cost per person living with mental illness (excluding medications) who are homeless: $56,000.
Homelessness is an expensive issue.
Shelters and food banks, while important, do not deal with the upstream and downstream causes of homelessness. For a country that prides itself on social welfare and universal health, we are doing in inadequate job of taking care of our most vulnerable people.
In 2008, the late PC finance minister provided a $110m grant for a pilot project called “At Home/Chez Moi” which focused on housing first.
What did they find?
What did they find?
They tested this in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, and Moncton.
30% of monthly income was to go to rent.
Participants agreed to weekly visits for two years.
No requirement to be sober or drug free first. Housing came first.
30% of monthly income was to go to rent.
Participants agreed to weekly visits for two years.
No requirement to be sober or drug free first. Housing came first.
Average participant was male in their 40s. Mostly men. 1/3 were women.
100% had mental likenesses. More than 90% had chronic illnesses.
100% had mental likenesses. More than 90% had chronic illnesses.
The results?
The majority of the participants remained stably house after 2 years.
For every $10.00 invested in Housing first the savings for the system was estimated at $21.72.
The price of human dignity: priceless.
The majority of the participants remained stably house after 2 years.
For every $10.00 invested in Housing first the savings for the system was estimated at $21.72.
The price of human dignity: priceless.
I’m the end, Flaherty invested $600m in a Homelessness Partnering strategy based on the Housing first model.
The model works, is financially effective, and leads to costs savings doe the system.
The model works, is financially effective, and leads to costs savings doe the system.
Lessons learned? We have had one of the largest housing studies in the world done right here in Canada. We can learn from that an adopt the wins right here in #NovaScotia.
While we look at a number of factors Housing First should be a priority. mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/conten…
While we look at a number of factors Housing First should be a priority. mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/conten…
It’s not just the right thing to do, the moral thing to do, but it’s also the smart thing to do.
I’d love to hear what housing partners think of this approach (which I’m sure they are aware of already).
I’d love to hear what housing partners think of this approach (which I’m sure they are aware of already).
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