Interim ‘What We Heard’ report released by Chamber Task Force on Homelessness

• reviewed studies, municipal approaches, and news articles regarding best practices in addressing homelessness in Alberta and across North America;

• toured 17 agencies and facilities providing support for individuals experiencing homelessness in Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer;

• conducted 12 targeted interviews with government officials, social sector agencies, and community members who are experienced in social services or connected to homelessness initiatives; and

• hosted two community conversations to learn and hear from the social sector and Chamber Members on their perspectives and experiences regarding homelessness in Red Deer, with 47 individuals participating in these conversations.

“Assessing the data and research gathered through our business lens, the Task Force has identified six key overarching themes that contribute to homelessness in Red Deer and are areas where the business community can actively contribute to address the issue and advocate for meaningful change,” says Scott Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber.

“We invite Red Deerians to review the report and provide their feedback on our findings by February 16, 2024. Your feedback is crucial in guiding our next steps as we strive to develop recommendations that are sound, relevant, and responsible. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in addressing homelessness in Red Deer.”

The report notes that the City’s last Point in Time Homeless Count tallied 334 people experiencing homelessness, more than double the 144 accounted for in 2018.

It notably suggests that there is ‘no single solution.’

“One of the pivotal lessons we learned is that different communities have different needs, which is why there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to addressing homelessness. There are so many contributing factors, each with varying degrees of impact, that providing solutions and support requires a broad set of tools tailored to the needs of those requiring support. For example, providing homelessness support to someone with addiction issues is very different than supporting someone who finds themselves homeless due to poverty, both of which are influenced by the degree of magnitude. Identifying causes of homelessness led to the understanding that different causes have different levels of magnitude. Instead of there being one single solution to homelessness, there are multiple solutions, as represented by the following formula: Understood causes of homelessness x degrees of magnitude = required solutions

Further, it notes six key themes in the data and research gathered:

1. Housing is a business and economic development issue
2. Community understanding of homelessness
3. It’s hard to go home when there is no home to go to
4. Collaborative fragmentation
5. Bureaucratization of homelessness
6. Conflicting civic priorities

The interim report concludes, among other things, that Red Deer needs an integrated housing strategy, as well as a shared understanding of homelessness.

“Without a shared understanding of homelessness, the community lacks a unified approach to addressing the issue, leading to reduced responsibility and the potential for NIMBY-ism (Not In My Backyard) sentiments,” the interim report states.

“Addressing the NIMBY-ism barrier in the community is crucial for the productive confrontation of facts and finding meaningful solutions to homelessness.”

The comprehensive interim report and a feedback form can be viewed in full at reddeerchamber.com.

A final report will come forward this spring, with the hopes of creating a set of actionable recommendations for the community to consider, the report says.

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by Josh Hall | @Vancan19

Interim ‘What We Heard’ report released by Chamber Task Force on Homelessness

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