- CBC

 

Thats cool however how much homelessness is their in Medicine Hat?

 

We ship them to other states...

 

Medicine Hat is in Canada

 

I dunno, but I'd guess it's the same as anywhere else in Canada.

 

That's good, the united states makes homelessness a crime punishable by death in some cases. The government doesn't allow people to make their shelter on any public property and offers no help to them. Go Canada

 

I wonder if they can do it in Victoria and Vancouver who have a larger than normal portion of homelessness in Canada because of the weather and cost of housing.

 

Well not quite as it is to cold there many months of the year.

 

Well, over here they do it in any town, however great or small. Larger cities typically have more money and usually some old empty houses they can use.

 

well hopefully edmonton and calgary can end homlessness.

 

Where did they ship them off too? warmer climates?

 

they gave them permanent shelter.

 

That's nice, will they ever work, or will they still squat and shit in the backyard.

 

The strategy has worked. In Medicine Hat, emergency room visits and interactions with police have dropped. But there was one change that initially surprised Clugston — court appearances went up. "They end up dealing with their past, atoning for their sins. - CBC

 

There have been co-op housing projects over the years and one if you recall that time someone stupidly filled up a bus and dropped them off in Kelowna one summer so their down town became saturated with drug entrenched street folks and they weren't set up for that nor had the services ready. I specifically remember being on multi million dollar beach front property and being so pissed off as I had to step around needles just left on the ground from junkies.

The Vanc Global News had a report last night of East Vanc residents all upset again about the street people in the neighborhood which have increased with the nice weather.

We also get flooded with homeless this time of year because our weather is so warm. Most generally sleep in tents along the river hiding in bushes and workers will go out to check on them and take then supplies but they can be a nuisance if they start fires as we are under a fire ban already with over 30 fires reported this month and the weather hasn't even got all that hot yet. I hope we get some rain in June as it is pretty dry.

 

The other people I get annoyed at in the summer is not the "real" homless people but the backpackers with their fancy camping gear sleeping on the streets in the summer thinking they are some kind of bohemians.

 

They have this program here now (forget what it is called) where a mental health worker rides in a cop car to assist with certain calls and it has brought down the amount of arrests for these people who need help instead of jail.

 

Yes and what gets me even more is they have dogs with them which are just laying on the side walk with them. They are asking for handouts then how can they afford an animal and I have to wonder what kind of care the dog gets.

 

Well, take it from someone who works with homeless people: The animal is often the only social tie those people have. It's their only friend.

 

I'm trying to get something going with city hall where I live to do something similar. A kind of transitional housing thing where those who want off the streets, but can't get the apartment, can have a place to turn for the help. They'd be doing most of the work, but a home of sorts* would be provided as they work their way through the programs set up to help them help themselves.

*A home of sorts is by no means a homeless shelter, nor is it a grand mansion. It would be between 200 square feet and 500 square feet depending on needs (single, couple, or small family). It would provide the basics for health and hygiene, cooking facilities, and sleeping and living space.

Programs would also be provided for financial planning and job search (if required).

There are organizations here which can help with finding apartments and assistance for first and last month rent. So that part is taken care of. It would just be a matter of connecting the client with the organization.