Larry O’Brien

Case in point is the homelessness file. Those that thrive on social equity in public policy will argue with compassion that we need to provide help to individuals dealing with concurrent drug and physiological issues that keep them chronically displaced from our social main stream.

The City of Ottawa offers over 40 local social agencies providing food, shelter and an array of services from good-hearted and wonderful people who service the plight of the homeless very well.

Viewing the problem with the social lens you can feel good that we are doing our best to deal with the sad problem of chronic homelessness. But when you view the issue of homelessness through the economic efficiency lens you do not feel so positive about the results we are seeing with our efforts. Simply put we could be doing more with the same amount of investment. Case in point, homelessness numbers have reportedly grown despite the efforts of many well-meaning professionals and volunteers.

We provide meals; temporary shelter and emergency care with good intentions, heart and enthusiasm. Despite these efforts I have spoken with a lot of people living on the streets who if given the choice would simply like a safe place to call their own.

How can we do things differently? Let’s look at that request with another lens on. In San Diego, in a well noted study, they determined that the average cost of a homeless person ricocheting through the police, health, social and other assistance organizations was in excess of $100,000 per year. A business case approach to this problem would be supporting housing where the homeless could have a roof and all the necessary support services close at hand for less than $50,000 per year until they are fully rehabilitated. Net savings of $50,000 and more importantly a chance to invest in helping others with the same level of investment.

The City of Ottawa is hard at work on this issue. We have a Leadership Table and have been working with Phil Mangano to engage every level of government and more importantly, the private sector to consolidate a partnership to end homelessness. The priority is to ensure that City Council works on its commitment to ending chronic homelessness achieves realization. Councillors Holmes, Hume and Feltmate are some of those working hard on this mission. We want to solve the problem of homelessness in Ottawa once and for all and that will finally feel good for all of us.