Huge savings in human misery and money – Regina Leader-Post

Kenton Weisgerber, as seen in this photo from last year, is a client of the Housing First program. BRYAN SCHLOSSER / Regina Leader-Post

Not long ago, Kenton Weisgerbers life looked hopeless he was an addict with mental health issues who was one of the hidden homeless in Regina.

Hed lost his job, his home and his roommate.

I ended up putting myself in a tough position where I had no stability, Weisgerber said. At that point, I started to couch surf and stay with people, not really having anywhere that I could call a safe place. All the time, dealing with an addiction.

Last year, he was one of 26 people participating in Reginas initial Housing First program, run by Phoenix Residential Society.

Im humbled Ive been given a second chance, Weisgerber said.

Hes using that chance to confront his addiction and mental health issues and further his education.

Im successful because of the trust and the hope these people gave me,Weisgerber said.

Under the umbrella of the federal governments Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS), the YMCA serves as the Community Entity for Regina and Rural Saskatchewan. It is supported by Reginas Community Advisory Board to fund initiatives that aim to end homelessness in our city.

A number of community-based organizations have been part of Housing First, includingThe Circle Project. It was brought on board in the fall of 2016 to offer cultural supports to individuals in the program.

A key priority of HPS funding is Housing First the philosophy and practice of housing the homeless and offering supports when theyre housed.

The initiatives one-year results were released Tuesday at an anniversary event.

An $18,080 investment per participant produced estimated savings of $1.9 million.

The stats speak for themselves but Id be remiss if I didnt put it out there that theres more money and resources needed, said Tyler Gray, Carmichael Outreachs public relations officer.

Currently, 118 people with high needs are waiting to get into Housing First 26 assessed with very severe needs.

Extra funding would make a huge difference, said Lori Wright, in charge of intensive case management with Phoenix Homes.

Its about manpower, she said. We can only support so many Funding would be amazing. Permanent supportive housing would be phenomenal in this city.

Mayor Michael Fougere said cost savings are important, but even more so, peoples lives are being changed.

They are hopeless and they have no place to go, he said. The idea of Housing First is to stabilize them, and then deal with their particular addictions and mental health issues Those changes matter so much to our city.

The city spends roughly $2.5 million on housing.

I do think that a discussion of federal, provincial and city financing resources and in-kind contributions are really important to move this to the end goal, which is ending homelessness, Fougere said.

Due to the success of Housing First through Phoenix Homes and demand for the program, Carmichael Outreach was contracted for 2017-18 to build a second Housing First team for Regina.

Social Services Minister Tina Beaudry-Mellor isinterested in the results Housing First has achieved and wants to see how her ministry can use their measuring tools.

Shes also frustrated.

Weve been working in parallel, but tandem to each other and not in a co-ordinated way, she said. The reason I was there today was to try and change that.

Social Services doesnt provide direct funding to Housing First.

Beaudry-Mellor noted federal funding goes directly to the Community Advisory Board and bypasses the province.

Thats one of the reasons our investments are separate from the Housing First piece, Beaudry-Mellor said. We have invested just under $30 million in the Regina area for hard-to-house projects and that would include housing people with complex medical needs and disabilities through my ministry specifically, but also it would include people who are struggling with mental health and addictions.

MP Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety, noted housing is one of the prime determinants of health, safety and well-being.

Housing First has caused a greater focus and attention on that issue than I think weve ever seen before, he said.

The federal government has invested more than $3 million in the last two or three years to address homelessness around Regina, he said.

Part of the research thats been done is on this very question: Does Housing First work? said Goodale. And the data is indicating in a compelling way that it does.

pcowan@postmedia.com

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Huge savings in human misery and money - Regina Leader-Post