Wednesday, 13 February 2019

Homelessness in Ottawa

https://sosvanier.limequery.com/printanswers/view?surveyid=747472
 SOS Vanier - Electoral Survey - Rideau-Rockliffe By-Election 2019
 page 1 / 8

 (1)
Would you vote in support of a motion withdrawing from staff delegated authority for funding of shelter, group home, transitional housing or other such projects that exceed 50 beds? (1)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
No [X]
Would you support a requirement for inclusionary zoning in all new large development projects? (2)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
No [X]
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 Would you commit to voting to override the City of Ottawa official plan and/or zoning by-laws only when there is a public interest in doing so? (3)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
No [X]
Would you support a motion requiring developers to conduct a pre-consultation with local community associations, social and health services providers and BIAs? (4)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
Yes
Would you support a fund that community associations and/or BIAs could access to help
‘level the playing field’ when opposing proposals made by developers? (These funds could be
used for items such as studies, public education and professional services). (5)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
No [X]
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 Given the City of Ottawa 10-year housing and homelessness plan calls for the transfer of 40%
of shelter funds to prevention, would you support a motion requiring staff to begin this funding
shift? (6)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
No [X]
Given that shelters and ‘transitional housing’ are expensive and inefficient, would you commit
to requiring city staff to pursue more effective evidence-based solutions such as housing first?
(7)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
Yes
Do you think the city should stop passing responsibility for homelessness off to charities and accept responsibility for finding an effective long-term solution? (8)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
No [X]
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 Would you vote to require independent social impact and business impact studies for any shelter (or transitional housing) over 50 beds? (9)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
No [X]
Would you vote to change the City of Ottawa official plan and zoning by-laws to allow shelters on all TMSs including those in your ward? (10)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
No [X]
Are you aware that shelters built in poor neighbourhoods are more destructive to the
community than those built in more affluent areas? (11)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
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 Given the recognition of Ottawa City’s bilingual character, would you support a motion instructing staff to link funding for shelter services to the obligation to be bilingual? (12)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
No [X]
Given the importance of consulting Aboriginal peoples about anything that might affect their
rights and culture, would you support a motion instructing staff to consult them before granting
any funding to a health and social services facility operated by a private religious charity? (13)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
No [X]
Would you commit to opposing the construction of a mega shelter at 333 Montreal Road by
voting against any rezoning or funding requests and for any motion that might curtail or cancel
the project? (14)
Type: (Y/yes-no)
No [X]
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 Would you like to add any comment or information with respect to the questions above and the issues mentioned in this survey? (15)
Type: (T/text-long)
Shelters have become warehouses for the homeless. The city must adopt more effective evidence-based solutions to housing and homelessness. The city currently has community housing which is poorly maintained, poorly situated, wasteful of space, and in many ways inadequate.
Many of your questions are self vexing.
There is nothing in the limit of 50 beds that I agree with so the question you posed has a premise which is false.
Community consultation is imperative. I do not agree that funding should be linked to language or heritage at a time where the need is great.
The shelter on Montreal road will proceed because the mayor supports it and the mayor is supported by the majority of rural and suburban councillors.
The question about the destructiveness of shelters is based on a false premise that shelters are destructive, they are not.
I object to the use of terms which have not been clearly defined. Revise your questionnaire and I would likely revise my negative responses.
Good luck with your initiative to rationalize housing and shelter development. This is something I support.
Please confirm your email for validation purposes. (16)
Type: (S/text-short) Peterkarwacki.overbrook@gmail.com
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-homeless-strategy-mid-term-1.4586691

Councillors sat through a marathon meeting in March 2018 as housing advocates, economists, community activists, formerly homeless people and even Coun. Mark Taylor piled idea on top of idea to get people into housing and out of emergency shelters.

CBC’s Laura Oscan reported


Mark Taylor special liaison laid out the following strategic points.  


1 comment:

  1. From LeDevoir The future Shepherds of Hope building at 765 chemin de Montréal will have 42 studios, permanent housing for eligible women and men. They will receive support 24 hours a day, as well as various support services offered by local staff.
    But this organization has gone further than choosing the Housing First approach. It was also necessary to consult the people and residents concerned by the construction of a building of 42 housing for homeless. It was not necessary to plan everything, get the necessary funding and permits, and then talk to the people affected by this project.
    We have seen what this "behind the scenes" method has done in the case of the construction of the Salvation Army mega-shelter at Vanier. When the Vanierians were shocked to learn that this agreement between the Salvation Army and the City of Ottawa was a fait accompli, the kettle jumped into Vanier. With reason.
    The Shepherds of Hope chose to do otherwise. They respectfully consulted them. And this, even before knowing if they would obtain the necessary funding for the construction of this building of 42 housing in support environment.
    Here's what Ottawa councilor Tobi Nussbaum had to say about the agency's approach: Nussbaum, had to say about the approach used by this organization:
    "When the senior staff of the Shepherds of Hope informed me last summer of their funding request, I invited them to contact the neighborhood community association (Fairhaven) to inform residents, even if they did not know yet whether funds would be allocated to them. To their credit, the staff of the Shepherds of Hope spoke to the management team of the community association, attended one of the regular meetings, organized an open house and even door-to-door to educate and inform residents about this request. And the staff of the Shepherds of Hope pledged to continue working with the public throughout the process. "

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