Business and community leaders

Business and community leaders came together for two hours in two separate discussions hosted by United Way president and CEO Anne Smith, and Eric Newell, University of Alberta Chancellor and co-chair of the Edmonton Committee to End Homelessness.

In all, 30 different companies and organizations were represented at the United Way sessions: a wide cross-section of people from business, labour, government, community and social services.

“It is so gratifying when you put out the call for people to be part of the solution and find that all want to be part of solving the problem of homelessness,” says Anne Smith. “There was a positive, enthusiastic tenor in the room from people of all walks of life.”

Wise ideas

Lieutenant Colonel Gary Blenkinsop, Base Commander of Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, participated in the discussions.

“The humane, professional, client-oriented approach taken should not and cannot undermine a simple, pragmatic message that tolerance for the status quo has ended,” he says. “The status quo is not only an extremely costly option, but the results-to-date remain unacceptable from a community, health, business and security perspective.”

Anne Smith agrees. “Everyone felt strongly that homelessness in a prosperous city and province like ours is not acceptable and should not be tolerated. Each and every one of us has to open our eyes and our hearts to consider new ways of working together,” she says.

On the verge of something important

Smith is excited about the momentum that is building around the initiative, and says “it feels like we’re on the verge of something really important.”

She is also pleased about the unanimous support for the Housing First concept. “People felt that taking a Housing First approach was just common sense,” she says. “Everyone agreed that we all benefit when people are in stable, safe housing.”

People in the United Way sessions offered the following advice:

  • Start changing the consciousness of the community around homelessness. That means telling stories and creating empathy for people who are homeless.
  • Take care of the landlords. Consider incentives for landlords and builders.
  • Streamline services to avoid duplication.
  • Be patient. Realize that once individuals have a home, many other challenges they have been trying to deal with may bubble up.
  • Ensure that housing is dispersed across the city.
  • Business can provide employment opportunities and supports to employees. The Ledcor program, which provides boots, hard hat and alarm clock, is just one example. So much more can be done.
  • Measurable outcomes are key. We must measure everything. How much will it save? How much will it cost?