In Episode 10: Why Supportive Housing Matters of A Way Forward Podcast | Presented by Beem Credit Union, hosts Jessica Samuels and CMHA Kelowna CEO Mike Gawiuk to discuss the critical role of supportive housing in addressing homelessness and mental health. They delve into key topics such as Housing First, complex care, and the broader systemic issues impacting affordable housing in Canada.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Understanding Supportive Housing

• The difference between Housing First and complex care.
• Why supportive housing is a crucial component in addressing homelessness.
• The role of wraparound services in housing stability.

2. Housing as a Social Determinant of Health

• How access to safe, stable housing impacts mental and physical health.
• The historical recognition of housing as a human right (e.g., UN declaration, Canadian Housing Strategy Act).
• The significance of federal funding through the Reaching Home initiative.

3. The Evolution of Housing First

• Origins of Housing First: Developed by Sam Tsemberis and the Pathways to Housing model in New York City.
• The At Home/Chez Soi study in Canada and its impact on policy.
• Challenges in implementing Housing First effectively, including the need for adequate funding and comprehensive support services.

4. Complex Care and Its Role in Supportive Housing

• The introduction of complex care by the BC government.
• Differences between Housing First and complex care, particularly in levels of autonomy and service provision.
• How complex care supports individuals with high needs, including mental health, substance use, and brain injuries.

5. Addressing Misconceptions and Policy Challenges

• Why Housing First has received criticism and how misinterpretations of the model have affected its implementation.
• The need for a multi-faceted approach ("silver buckshot" rather than a "silver bullet").
• How systemic issues like housing affordability and the toxic drug crisis impact supportive housing efforts.

Key Takeaways:

• Supportive housing is more than just shelter; it includes necessary wraparound services to ensure stability.
• Housing First works when implemented correctly, but requires proper funding and comprehensive support.
• Complex care provides a higher level of support for individuals with severe needs but operates differently from Housing First.
• There is no single solution to homelessness; a combination of strategies is necessary to address diverse needs.

**Resources**
Housing – a SDoH

https://www.cpha.ca/what-are-social-determinants-health

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/housing-and-health#key-factors

Housing Strategy / Reaching Home

https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/housing-logement/ptch-csd/index-eng.html

https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/homelessness-sans-abri/index-eng.html

Housing First – history and practical application

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36092852

https://www.journeyhome.ca/stories/solving-homelessness-it-just-makes-sense/

https://homelesshub.ca/collection/programs-that-work/housing-first/

https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/homelessness-sans-abri/resources-ressources/housing-first-logement-abord-eng.html

https://homelesshub.ca/collection/programs-that-work/housing-first-for-youth/

Is Housing First Working?

https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/why-housing-first-failed-in-canada

https://ciceroinstitute.org/research/housing-first-is-a-failure/

https://endhomelessness.org/blog/the-truth-about-housing-first/

https://www.city-journal.org/article/states-say-no-to-housing-first

Complex Care

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/complex-care-housing

https://www.kelowna.ca/our-community/social-wellness/complex-care

Supportive Housing – here to stay? 

https://globalnews.ca/news/8824827/homelessness-kelowna/

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2024/01/why-its-so-hard-to-end-homelessness-in-america/

https://caeh.ca/six-measures-the-federal-government-can-introduce-in-budget-2024-to-fix-the-housing-crisis-and-solve-homelessness/

Thank you for tuning in to A Way Forward Podcast! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and share it with others who may benefit. Stay tuned for more conversations on mental health in future episodes.

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A Way Forward Podcast is proudly presented by Beem Credit Union. BlueShore Financial, GFCU Savings, Gulf & Fraser, Interior Savings, and North Peace Savings are trade names of Beem Credit Union