Canada’s leading experts on homelessness say they have the solutions to the problem.
“We can make the problem of homelessness go away, but it’s going to take annual effort by all three levels of government,” said Dr. David Hulchanski.
Hulchanski is one of North America’s leading experts on the issue, and he is in Calgary to deliver the keynote at a three-day national conference.
“There was a period in Canada that we did not have homeless,” said Hulchanski. “Up until the 1980s, we were making progress in housing and urban renewals.”
Now the federal government is pledging $1 billion to make up for decades of cutbacks, however the money will only be allocated to provinces whose governments will match the funds.
The second national conference, “Growing Home: Housing and Homelessness in Canada,” runs until Friday at the University of Calgary. Hundreds of service providers, policy makers and academics are sitting in on three days of lectures.
The sessions will focus on creative research, practices and initiatives that will help deal with the costly issue of homelessness and affordable housing. “A conference does not solve a problem” reminds Hulchanski, “it’s what happens next that matters.”
