Calgary shows how a safer downtown can be created.

You know, why do we have to wait to see success at another city before we figure it out. I mean it's not rocket science! Please read this great article...

By Stefano Grande
Exec Director
Downtown Biz
It might sound radical and idealistic for a city to commit to a plan to "end homelessness." But that's exactly what Calgary has done. While there will always be those individuals who experience homelessness, Calgary has a plan to move people through -- and out -- of the system, ending chronic homelessness and the cycle of homelessness. And so far, it's working. If Calgary can help those less fortunate people who are struggling with social and mental-health issues off their downtown streets, through a housing-first model, so can Winnipeg. There is no doubt that from a physical perspective, the downtown is on a roll, good things are happening and there are more and more people working, living in and visiting our downtown. But it's time the social issues are tackled in the same aggressive manner, and in doing so, safety issues will improve for everyone. Two weeks ago, more than 40 CEOs and community leaders got together to raise awareness for homelessness issues in our city. More than $100,000 was raised for the Downtown BIZ's Change for the Better program, which employs those less fortunate who are willing to change their lives through a steady job. The highlight of the event was speaker Tim Richter, from the Calgary Homeless Foundation. He noted social and mental-health issues are at times seen among those less fortunate in our downtown who panhandle and are intoxicated. Creating housing for this community -- with supports to maintain this housing -- helps these people off the street, permanently. It can make downtown safer for everyone and bring about an end to homelessness. Consider some of Richter's key points from Calgary's experience. -- A housing-first approach has almost eliminated panhandling and public intoxication in a safer downtown. -- The model has saved governments substantial money -- $134,000 per person per year for chronically homeless people versus a housing and support cost of $10,000 to $25,000 per person per year. -- It was determined in 2007 that more than $320 million was being spent every year in Calgary on homelessness. If nothing was done, the cumulative cost of homelessness could have been more than $9 billion in the next decade. -- About 3,000 supportive housing units have been created in the last six years, with an 85 per cent average housing retention rate. Homelessness across Alberta is dropping. Edmonton saw a 21 per cent decrease from 2008 to 2010; Fort McMurray, 42 per cent; and Lethbridge, 53 per cent. Winnipeg can learn from this approach. Government leadership, however, is needed to put a comprehensive plan together and then attract long-term funding from all levels of government and potentially from the corporate community. It's clear our development agency, CentreVenture, which recently created downtown's first supportive housing project, is willing to move quickly to partner with others to create more supportive housing projects in the short term. In the long-term, the recently formed Poverty Reduction Council, a community entity like the Calgary Homeless Foundation, can play a critical role in sustaining this approach. All that is needed is a nod from the city or province, or preferably both, with the complete support and involvement of our aboriginal and Métis communities and service providers. We have all witnessed the costs, economically and to our pride, associated with Winnipeg not moving forward in addressing its social issues as aggressively as it should. Stefano Grande is the executive director of the Downtown Biz. Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press.