The Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC) is issuing a new report on homelessness. SPARC is a social policy organization that has co-authored reports with the BC Federation of Labour and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
· The social housing budget is the highest ever – $172 million in 2005/06.
- This is 54% more than the NDP government's $112 million budget in 2000/01, and over THREE TIMES what was being spent 10 years ago.
- We have a $84 million Canada-B.C. Affordable Housing Program Agreement which has, since December alone, funded 533 units for the homeless and those with addictions or mental illness. In March, $20 million was announced from the federal and provincial governments for transitional housing projects in Victoria, Kelowna, New Westminster, Prince George, Terrace and Fort St. John.
· The provincial government continues to work with municipalities and the federal government to address this issue. For example, the B.C. Liberals have appointed a Premier's Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addiction Services that brings together mayors from across the province to identify priorities.
· The B.C. Liberals have provided more emergency shelter beds for the homeless than EVER BEFORE – nearly 40 percent more in spending and shelter capacity.
- Budget 2005 increased emergency shelter funding by $5.1 million to $18.3 million – the highest budget ever.
· The B.C. Liberals have doubled the number of cold wet winter weather beds by adding an additional 198 beds for a total of 395. The cold wet weather beds now stay open for one month longer (until April 30).
· The B.C. Liberals are also adding more year-round shelter beds – 153 more for a total of 864 beds. In the Greater Vancouver area, there are a total of 447 year-round beds and 229 cold wet weather beds.
· Even the NDP admits that homelessness has been an ongoing challenge for governments of all stripes.
· “In some cases the homeless choose a lifestyle that doesn't. . . . They wouldn't access permanent housing even if offered.” – Joy MacPhail, Hansard, 21 May 1997
· “The 1990s were a difficult decade for British Columbians, particularly for the poorest in the province. . . . there was an increase in poverty in B.C. by any measure. The depth of poverty was also higher and more visible on the street in the rise of homelessness, panhandling and food banks. Life for the poor is more difficult and precarious than it has been in several decades." – CCPA Report "Falling Through the Cracks," 2000
