Cranbrook Mayor Wayne Price says the City is making good progress toward dealing with social issues in the community, including homelessness and addiction.
The Mayor’s Taskforce on Homelessness had been a significant driver of much of the work.
“We’re starting to see results now. For the first year, we were mostly compiling the data and developing a plan for how we’re going to respond. The biggest thing for the first year was to create a report and we have that now,” said Price.
“We thought that was going to be the end of it, but the task force members came together and requested to continue moving forward in their tasks. They have taken on many of the local recommendations that they could do themselves.”
Price says he is proud of the work done so far.
“We have the data now that has statistically proven this is making a difference in the community. The Fire Department’s overdose and fire responses are down by 60 per cent. That tells me something is going right,” said Price.
“The coordination and changes in response protocols by these agencies involved in the Taskforce and having a common area where they can meet with these people on a regular basis has proven that it’s working very well.”
The Taskforce is working to implement some new strategies to coordinate the efforts of outreach organizations.
“We’re gathering more data and we’re looking at creating a database system where all of the agencies can access the same information about that individual,” said Price.
“They will all have information on that person that is in the best interest of aiding that person and meeting their needs.”
The City has also introduced a day pay program, which Price says is making a difference.
“A lot of these people just need an opportunity. Certainly, there is some theft and petty crime that comes along with homelessness, but we know that it’s often out of necessity to even get enough money for a meal,” said Price.
“A make-work program makes a difference in the community and for those individuals. It gives them a sense of purpose and helps with their self-esteem and it helps them get into a better place in general.”
Even though dealing with homelessness technically falls under provincial jurisdiction, Price feels the City is obligated to take care of its residents, regardless of whether they live indoors.
“When it’s happening in your community because you’re a regional centre, we have to face reality – something has to be done,” said Price.
“The Community Charter states the purposes of a municipality and one of those is the safety and wellbeing of the community. I certainly think the Mayor’s Taskforce response is in the interest of the wellbeing of the community.”
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