Bartolo: In Ottawa, the ‘Housing First’ model is working

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Canada is in the midst of a national housing crisis. Skyrocketing rents, a shortage of affordable housing and a toxic drug crisis are leaving many of our neighbours without a place to call home.

Ottawa is far from immune. In 2023, there were more than 89,000 stays in Shepherds of Good Hope’s emergency shelter and more than 151,000 meals served in its community kitchen.

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In late October, 2,056 front-line workers, people with lived experience, housing advocates, politicians and social profit organizations from across the country came together in Ottawa for the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness national conference. It was an opportunity to call on decision-makers for much needed action, but also to showcase the homegrown solutions that are making a difference in Ottawa.

We know homelessness cannot be solved with emergency shelters or one-size-fits-all solutions. Many people who experience homelessness are dealing with trauma, substance use, mental-health challenges or chronic illnesses, making it difficult for them to maintain stable housing without supports. Shelters in our city are at capacity and have done an admirable job in the absence of readily available enduring solutions. However, shelters are meant to be a temporary solution. There is a more sustainable, permanent way forward when we all work collaboratively together.

Policy leaders must champion affordable housing alongside vital support services such as mental-health care, addiction services and employment assistance. Not only is this the most humane, effective route to success; it also makes fiscal sense. A landmark 2014 study by the Mental Health Commission of Canada found that for every dollar invested in supportive housing, particularly for individuals with mental health issues, governments saved $1.54 on emergency services, hospital stays and other social services.

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A more recent study reaffirmed that focusing on housing is sound economics. A month in the hospital is $30,000. A month in the prison system is $12,000. A month in the shelter system is $6,000. The most affordable option?  A month in supportive housing is only $4,000.

Housing is a long-term solution that not only provides a permanent home but also addresses the root causes of homelessness and housing insecurity. When individuals have a safe place to live and access to the right supports, their ability to improve their lives and contribute to society dramatically increases. Simply put, where there is home, there is hope.

Simply put, where there is home, there is hope.

We’ve seen success with the model here in Ottawa. Shepherds of Good Hope’s 300+ supportive housing residents have access to a range of services tailored to their needs, whether it’s regular visits from a social worker, addiction and mental health services, or employment training. This holistic, wrap-around approach is part of our continuum of care, helping residents stay in their home while addressing the underlying issues that may have led to homelessness in the first place.

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Supportive housing also strengthens our communities and makes them more inclusive. By creating lasting stability for residents, we can build pathways for participating in the workforce, maintaining relationships and contributing meaningfully to neighbourhoods.

Stable housing means fewer people resort to panhandling or petty crime to meet their basic needs. Wrap-around supports keep them out of emergency rooms and lower their interactions with emergency services overall. With such  24/7 support, Shepherds of Good Hope staff, volunteers and partners work closely with residents around the clock to reinforce community norms and neighbourhood integration.

At the same time, we must also remember that many individuals have experienced homelessness for extended periods, and the transition out of homelessness can take time and patience. Fortunately, these supports do work effectively.

One of the most compelling reasons to expand supportive housing is the potential to improve health outcomes.

Homelessness is a major public health issue: those without stable housing face higher rates of chronic illness, mental health disorders, trauma and premature death. The constant stress of living on the streets or in unstable conditions takes a profound toll on both physical and mental well-being. Access to secure, supportive housing can dramatically change this trajectory.

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The Ontario government has acknowledged these benefits in its recent commitment to build 19 new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs, but tragically, these seem poised to come at the expense of equally needed harm reduction services across the province.

The reality is that the need for more affordable housing with supports in Ottawa and across Canada has never been more urgent. It is a compassionate, cost-effective and evidence-based solution to the growing homelessness crisis. It’s time for the federal, provincial and municipal governments to work together to ensure all Canadians have access to the housing they need to live stable, healthy and fulfilling lives.

For the more than 2,000 people who came to Ottawa to collaborate and learn at the recent conference, and to everyone who supports those experiencing homelessness across Canada, thank you. Together, we can end homelessness. You are all changing lives, one home at a time.

Stephen Bartolo is Chief Executive Officer of Shepherds of Good Hope in Ottawa.

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