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Council Voices Support for Action to Overcome Homlessness

By 250 News

Monday, October 15, 2007 07:56 PM

    
Homelessness snapshot;
Those involved in providing  services  for the homeless in Prince George, say that on October 10th, in Prince George,  there were, 122 people seeking shelter.
Of that number, 60 were men, 47 were women,  15 were children and youth.  Also on that day, 800 meals were served.
That, says Maryanne Sorensen  a director of AWAC in Prince George, indicates there are a great many who may have  shelter, but who cannot afford to  pay for rent, and food,  or rent and heat, or rent and clothing for their children.
While poverty is the number one cause of homelessness, the cost of shelter is increasing.  “Most of the clients are making abut $1100 dollars a month, and with the cost of housing climbing it is creeping out of reach.”  Sorensen says the cost of renting a home has climbed from 1027 a month to 1230, while a duplex rent has jumped 160 dollars a month, basement suites are up about 150 dollars.
Sorenson says programs that promote “housing first” have shown to be successful in assisting people in breaking the homelessness cycle.  Sorenson says there are things that can be done:
  1. increase our understanding of homelessness and its causes
  2. support local projects which address the  issues of homelessness
  3. be respectful and courteous to homeless people
Councilor Deborah Munoz made a motion to have Administration look at ways which would have the City partner with other levels of government to develop affordable housing in the community.  That motion was supported unanimously. 
Council also approved  declaring October 15th   to 21st as Homelessness Action  week.
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Posted on Monday, October 15, 2007 07:56 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Comment Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on October 15 2007 8:58 PM
Lets make housing available at Red Rock or Willow River or Crescent Spur.

Comment Posted by: Foo738 on October 15 2007 9:28 PM
Affordable housing is only a band aid and would not help people understand homelessness. To understand homelessness you have to understand the root causes. My goodness we have a research university in the City; they would be leaping at the chance to enlighten Council.
Comment Posted by: Andyfreeze on October 15 2007 9:31 PM
Bang on Foo738!
Simply giving them a roof over their heads does nothing to deal with the issues that put them on the street in first damn place!!!
Comment Posted by: Raparee on October 16 2007 10:23 AM
Root causes? Mental health and/or addictions. The solution? Re-open and expand Riverview and similar facilities.
Comment Posted by: bitter on October 16 2007 8:49 PM
How many of the so called Homeless are from Prince George and how many are being sent here from other areas ?? I am glad the working poor were mentioned at council last night. Support local projects? Do they mean the Backlpacker project ?? I can see where there is going to be some dirty pool going on. Council should remember who voted them in and who is paying their wages. That also goes for Shirley Bond. The zoning of the Backpacker project should be coming before Council in a couple of weeks. A quote from Webster's Dictionary, Conflict of Interest. A Conflict between one's obligation to the Public , as that of a public officeholder and one's self-interest.It should be interesting who is honest and who is not.
Comment Posted by: Foo738 on October 16 2007 8:58 PM
Reparee: Mental health and addictions is far too simplistic an answer in regard to the causes of homelessness. We all have our answer for it but why not get some scientific evidence and gain a deeper understanding of the causes? We have a great research opportunity to liase with UNBC and do it properly.
Comment Posted by: Harbinger on October 17 2007 10:10 AM
Dirty pool? Conflict of Interest? Not working on behalf of residents? Self interest? Ahem. Not in an election year. This will all come to pass and the majority of these ninnies will be re-elected because some voters all of a sudden move away, and the rest become smitten with selective amnesia. Wait and see when the time rolls around again. Name recognition, not ability will get these bozos back at the trough.