Transcript Homelessness as an investment priority: innovation

Stephan de Beer
Tshwane Leadership Foundation
22 September 2011
Changing face of homelessness
What/who are we speaking of?
Homelessness is everywhere
Street homelessness
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Economic
Situational
Chronic
“Near homeless”
Institutional captivity / impotency
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The language we use
Lack of coherent, integrated strategy & policy
Dependency versus empowerment models
 From
stagnation to innovation
 From exclusion to integration
 From welfare to investment
analysis > mapping / strategic planning
innovation > generating creative responses
integration > radical, holistic integration
investment > makes business sense / cost-effective
beauty > ethic of aesthetics
solution > long-term change / policy / replication
87% reduction in street
homelessness in
Times Square
Methodology of integration
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An accurate registry of street homeless people per
neighbourhood
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Prioritize for housing those who are the most vulnerable, by
means of a vulnerability index
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Simplify the process for helping individuals secure permanent
housing
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Provide supportive programmes and services, e.g., mental
health counselling, job training, financial management skills, to
assist individuals with maintaining their new homes and
creating stable and purposeful lives
(www.commonground.org)
continuum of care & empowerment
presence
community
empowerment
Pre-phase
Phase 1
Phase 2
Re-integration
Physical
Homeless
Poor shelter
Transitional
housing
Social housing
Housing
security
Economic
Unemployed
Underemployed
Skills training
Employment
preparation
Employment
Long-term
access
employment /
SMME-creation sustainable
livelihood
Psychosocialspiritual
Socially &
emotionally
disconnected
Counseling
Volunteering;
Support groups forums;
churches
leadership
community
assets
Contributing
neighbour &
citizen
vision
TOWARDS A CITY OF SHALOM –
healthy, vibrant communities flourishing in God’s presence

Physical, economic & psycho-social-spiritual integration
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Personal, family & community integration
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Contributing as neighbour, citizen and tax-payer
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Integrated approaches & models
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Public-private-community partnerships
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Inter-departmental cooperation
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Language of inclusion versus language of stereotyping
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Asset-based approach versus need-based approach
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From dependency to empowerment
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Breaking cycles of poverty and violence
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Real solutions versus temporary relief
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Cost-effective, long-term change
Investing in
•
on-going research
•
responsive, innovative solutions: building models
•
support programmes & services
•
capacity-building & training
staff, beneficiaries, officials, law enforcers, etc
•
replication and scaling
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Counselling & support groups
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Information & referrals
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Access to baby care & pre-schools
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Access to health care & HIV/AIDS support
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Access to arts & recreation
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Access to skills training & education
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Access to economic opportunity
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Opportunities to participate in the community
as volunteers and participants