Finding a home, a new life

City's Streets to Home wins over critics, gains credibility among homeless by helping more than 1,750 people get a roof over their heads since early 2005
May 07, 2008 04:30 AM
Daniel Girard
Urban Affairs Reporter

When outreach workers began asking homeless people if they could put a roof over their head, the answer was typically: "Yeah, right."

Three years later, the staff at the Streets to Homes program (S2H) are getting a much better reception on Toronto streets – and at city hall. The $8.7 million program is poised for a huge funding boost – $2.5 million more this year, $4.9 million next – opening the door to expanded services to help find jobs and more permanent housing to those who live in shelters or other housing but spend their days panhandling, especially downtown.

The executive committee's call is a ringing endorsement for the program launched by city council in 2005 with the aim of ending street homelessness. While a look down any downtown block confirms that goal has yet to be attained, the fact that it has helped more than 1,750 people find homes – nearly 90 per cent of them still housed – has won over critics.

"Nine out of 10 homeless people want permanent housing," said program manager Iain De Jong, referring to a survey conducted a couple of years ago. "They aren't `hard to house' or `service resistant.' It's that we haven't found the service or the right housing for them."

The program, which works with 29 non-profit groups ranging from street outreach and missions to employment and mental health services, uses a housing-first approach.

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