Gerard Kennedy

Liberals tackle homelessness in cross-country tour

By: Mallory Clarkson

Federal Liberal critic for infrastructure, cities and communities, Gerard Kennedy, met with community and municipal leaders in St. John’s Thursday as part of his cross-country tour to discuss the state of homelessness within Canadian cities.

Kennedy was joined by St. John’s South-Mount Pearl MP Siobhan Coady and Bruce Pearce, community development leader for the St. John’s community advisory committee on homelessness.

“We’re trying to figure out if it’s possible to end homelessness in Canada. We believe it’s a solvable problem. We see a lot of impressive progress that’s been made by community groups like those that are gathering here in St. John’s,” Kennedy said.

The issue of homelessness in St. John’s isn’t new. Despite the numerous fundraisers, charities and shelters already in place throughout the city, Kennedy said the federal government should implement different strategies for each community based on its specific needs.

“Can the federal government be sensitive enough in designing programs that actually fit the communities, fit the people that meet the needs? As opposed to one size fits all, a big announcement, then not much happens?” he asked.

Pearce said there has been an increase in the number of people visiting homeless shelters across the city. In 2003, 300 people used the shelters; in 2006, there were 600 people; and in 2009, the number almost doubled to 1,100.

Pearce said this is partly due to the development of shelters so more people in need are being counted, but he added it’s also a sign of prosperity and challenging housing costs.

St. John’s receives around $700,000 in federal funding a year to fight homelessness, and there’s around $500,000 for the rest of the province, but Pearce said that isn’t enough.

“The money is insufficient to the task of ending homelessness,” he said.

Coady said what St. John’s needs is committed funding. She said although money has been allocated in this year’s budget, nothing is concrete for next year.

“There are people right now that don’t have housing. It’s homelessness. It’s affordable housing. It should be long-term, sustainable and community based,” she said.

Kennedy said the only way homelessness in St. John’s will be ended is if affordable housing was delivered now, something he said he plans to push for in the House of Commons.

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