Why we need to rethink homelessness | Stan Zalewski | TEDxOshawa

Key Concepts:

• Homelessness as a symptom of a sick city
• Housing as a right vs. housing as a commodity
• Housing First principle
• Affordable housing
• Social housing
• Inclusive communities
• Not-for-profit developers
• Alternative procurement models

The Sickness of Our Cities: Homelessness and the Need for Systemic Change

The speaker argues that homelessness is not an isolated issue but a symptom of a deeper problem: the failure of cities to provide adequate housing for all their residents. The core issue is the shift from housing as a right to housing as a commodity, leading to unaffordability and, consequently, homelessness.

• The Visible Crisis: The emergence of tent encampments in public spaces highlights the magnitude of the housing crisis. These encampments, while providing a sense of community for the unhoused, are often shut down, further displacing vulnerable individuals.
• Homelessness is Not Innate: "No one in Canada is born homeless." People become homeless when cities fail to provide housing. Unaffordability is a unifying factor among the unhoused, transcending issues like mental health and addiction, which also exist within the housed community.
• Personal Anecdote: The speaker shares a personal experience of becoming homeless and being separated from her son due to shelter policies, illustrating the systemic failures and lack of accommodation for families.

Case Studies and Initiatives:

The speaker presents three case studies from different countries to illustrate various approaches to addressing homelessness and affordable housing.

• Oshawa, Canada: Shipping Container Residences:
  • Details: Shipping container residences were built as single-resident units.
  • Critique: The project fell short of creating a true "home" and community. Residents were essentially confined to their units with limited communal space. The units were seen as a way to contain people rather than house them.
  • Positive Developments: Social services were later introduced, and residents created communal gardens, demonstrating the need for community-building opportunities.
• Peterborough, Canada: Modular Sleeping Units:
  • Details: A tent encampment was replaced with 50 modular sleeping units connected to a community space.
  • Benefits: Flexible rules allowed residents to use the community spaces to work on resumes, improve employability skills, and seek employment.
  • Replication: Similar shelter villages are emerging in other cities like Halifax.
  • Land Value: Municipal leaders are releasing land at below-market rates to address the cost of housing.
• Helsinki, Finland: Housing First and Social Housing:
  • Ambitious Goal: Helsinki aims to end homelessness by 2027.
  • Current Status: The city can manage emergency situations with a single 50-bed shelter.
  • Land Ownership: The city owns 70% of the land, allowing control over sale prices and development.
  • Social Housing Mandate: New developments must allocate 25% to social housing, creating diverse communities with access to amenities and job opportunities.
  • Housing First Principle: Housing is provided unconditionally, recognizing that a safe, stable place is essential for recovery and well-being.
  • Critique of Traditional Approach: The speaker challenges the notion that individuals must overcome addiction or mental health issues before being offered housing. She argues that such conditions are better addressed with stable housing.
• Vienna, Austria: Extensive Social Housing Program:
  • High Social Housing Rate: 62% of residents live in social housing in middle-class neighborhoods.
  • Universal Access: Social housing is not limited to those with weak socioeconomic backgrounds but is available to everyone.
  • Long-Term Investment: Public housing has been a priority since the 1920s, with continuous investment and maintenance.
  • Not-for-Profit Developers: The city uses a revised procurement model that hires not-for-profit developers to bid on and build social housing. Projects are awarded based on architectural merit, social mix, and affordability.
  • Innovative Approaches: A decommissioned airfield was repurposed into a resident-designed housing complex, based on collaborative housing models from Berlin's squatter movements. Residents designed communal spaces like daycare centers, recreational areas, and workshops.

Key Arguments and Perspectives:

• Housing First: The speaker strongly advocates for the Housing First principle, emphasizing that providing stable housing is the foundation for addressing other challenges like addiction and mental health.
• Inclusive Communities: The importance of creating inclusive communities where everyone has access to affordable housing is highlighted.
• Alternative Procurement Models: The speaker emphasizes the need for alternative procurement models, such as using not-for-profit developers, to prioritize affordability and social impact over profit.

Notable Quotes:

• "No one in Canada is born homeless. They become homeless when our cities fail to provide housing for them."
• "Housing as a right has become housing as a commodity leading to unaffordability and housing."
• "You need to be in a safe stable place to get healthy."

Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Housing First: An approach to addressing homelessness that prioritizes providing stable housing without preconditions such as sobriety or mental health treatment.
• Social Housing: Rental housing owned and managed by the government or non-profit organizations, typically offered at below-market rates to low-income individuals and families.
• Affordable Housing: Housing that costs no more than 30% of a household's gross income, including rent and utilities.
• Not-for-Profit Developers: Organizations that develop housing with the primary goal of providing affordable housing rather than maximizing profit.
• Alternative Procurement Models: Methods of procuring goods and services that prioritize social and environmental outcomes in addition to cost.

Logical Connections:

The speaker connects the visible symptoms of homelessness (tent cities) to the underlying cause (lack of affordable housing). She then presents case studies to illustrate different approaches to addressing this issue, highlighting the successes of Housing First and social housing models in Helsinki and Vienna, respectively. The speaker contrasts these approaches with less effective solutions, such as the shipping container residences in Oshawa, to emphasize the importance of community and holistic design.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The speaker concludes that homelessness is a symptom of a systemic failure to provide affordable housing. She advocates for adopting Housing First principles, creating inclusive communities, and utilizing alternative procurement models, such as engaging not-for-profit developers. By treating housing as a right rather than a commodity, cities can create communities where everyone can thrive, and the symptoms of homelessness will disappear. The speaker urges individuals to get involved in supporting these changes at the community level and to advocate for policies that prioritize affordable housing for all.