Homeless plan estimate now $113M
City consultant believes project will bring $23 million in savings over 10 years
Robin Grant
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The 10-year plan to end homelessness just came in a little cheaper.
Turner Research & Strategy Inc. founder Alina Turner presents a painting by Chipewyan artist Michael Fatt from Lutsel K'e called House of the Northern Lights to Mayor Mark Heyck yesterday. The painting will be gifted to indigenous elders who will be providing cultural wellness and healing support once Turner's 10-year plan to end homelessness launches. - Robin Grant/NNSL photo |
Turner Research & Strategy Inc. founder Alina Turner, the consultant heading up the development of the city's homeless plan, said since the preliminary figures were presented to council in April, some cuts have been made after consultations with the GNWT.
Implementation is now estimated to cost $113 million - $34.1 million less than the original estimate of $147.1 million, according to the final draft of the plan presented at the city's municipal services committee meeting on Monday.
"We were able to confirm this with the GNWT," Turner told Yellowknifer.
"They gave us more updated figures and we were able to create more efficiencies where possible and make it as low as we could possibly do it."
The new price tag covers the cost of construction of 240 new affordable housing units, rent support for 127 units, a rapid rehousing program, expansion of the case management system, and construction and operation of 80 permanent supportive housing units in a single facility, including an additional 80 buildings in the city.
During Monday's meeting, Turner added implementing the plan is estimated to provide additional savings of $23 million over the 10 years and an estimated savings of $5 million per year after 2026, according to the consultant's calculations.
"Ultimately, it's going to be cheaper to house and support people than it is to continue managing the issue through emergency responses with police, shelters, hospitals and jails," she explained.
Turner based her estimates from similar plans she has worked on with other Canadian cities.
Most of the money would still need to come from the territorial and federal governments, she said, while some funding would come from existing spending.
Councillors expressed excitement about the plan, including coun. Julian Morse who called the costs achievable.
"When you think about that spread over 10 years, that's actually very cheap," he said.
Coun. Linda Bussey, who also chairs the Community Advisory Board, described the day as emotional.
"It is very exciting and I think the plan is creating a lot of attention," she said. "It's getting the recognition that it needs."
According to the final draft, more than 240 people will be moved out of homelessness and provided with a support system over the first three years.
Specifically, the plan states 115 people who are considered chronically and episodically homeless will receive housing and support. A total of 135 people considered transitionally homeless and at risk will be housed and supported and indigenous healing will also be made available.
Acknowledging the need to adapt housing to indigenous peoples' needs, as they make up the majority of the city's homeless population, must play a large role in ending homelessness, said Turner.
This would come from adopting an indigenous perspective to healing support and cultural wellness.
As well, she said, there is a need to recognize how residential schools have had a lasting physical, emotional, mental and spiritual affect on indigenous people.
"As much housing as we provide, we need to tackle the deeper root causes of homelessness in the community and we need to support that healing from an indigenous wellness perspective," she added.
