The British Columbia government has so far failed to develop a plan to reduce homelessness, according to a report released by Auditor General John Doyle this morning.
“We found significant activity and resources being applied to homelessness issues but there is no provincial homelessness plan with clear goals and objectives,” Doyle wrote. “The absence of clear goals and objectives raises questions about whether the right breadth and intensity of strategies are being deployed.”
The government does not even have a grasp of the size of the problem, he said. “The lack of good comprehensive information about the nature and extent of homelessness in the province” makes it difficult to plan, he said.
The only figures available are from homelessness counts conducted by municipalities and regional districts that likely underestimate the problem, he said. Those counts have been rising. “The continuing increase in the number of homeless counted suggests a lack of success in managing homelessness, let alone reducing it.”
There is a good financial case to be made for better addressing homelessness, he said. “The cost of public services to a homeless person is significantly higher than to that same person being provided with appropriate housing and support services.”
He also pointed out that the rise in homelessness has largely come in good economic times. “The recent, dramatic downturn in the economy increases the likelihood of more people becoming homeless.”
Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman's announced earlier in the week that he would be the province's new homelessness czar, ultimately responsible for the problem.
The government's response included with the report commits the government to eliminating homelessness. Doyle said the government needs to set clear strategies and a time frame to make it happen.
Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.
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pkelly
2 years ago
Good social policy is good economic policy
Now we're seeing the fruits of the BC Liberals labour. Their budget cutting and neglect for BC's most vulnerable will cost taxpayers even more in the long run. Brilliant.
Having a basic shelter and access to basic services reduces the taxpayer burden, not to mention reduces crime (keeping the vulnerable away from drug kingpins offering quick cash and a fast lifestyle).
You can almost see the direct link to the BC Liberals cost cutting and the increase in crime that they now are pretending to get tough on.
Its pretty hard to get tough when you have no credibility on the matter, not to mention fewer jails and prosecutors.
And there you have it. The increase in gangland crime activity and street murders is the fault of the BC Liberal Party. In my humble opinion of course.
Bizarro91
2 years ago
Auditor General slams BC.....
All criticism null and void. We now have a Homeless czar.
verso
2 years ago
Homeless Czar
Because he did so well as Minister of Forests.
DPL
2 years ago
Watching the big buffoon
Watching the big buffoon Coleman in question period today was almost enough to make the average person sick. He is a bragger and his buying those fleabag hotels sure made somebody a lot of money.
It would cost a very large amount of our money to make them safe, bug free and be considered a decent place to live.
DJT
2 years ago
Why spend a lot of time,
Why spend a lot of time, energy and money developing a "plan" when you are not genuinely interested in the issue but just want to make it look like you care and are doing something?
Now, if you want to "privatize" a ferry system (e.g.) and try to persuade the public it's a great idea, an organized and orchestrated spin campaign is definately in order!!