A research paper from United Way Perth Huron looks into the effectiveness of alternative shelter models, warning municipalities’ growing reliance on non-permanent shelter systems risks entrenching homelessness instead of resolving it.
The report, the Social and Financial Cost of Non Permanent Shelter Systems for addressing Homelessness was written by United Housing Director Kathy Vassilakos and research intern Maria Erb.
The report found municipalities have increasingly turned to temporary shelters as a response to public pressure to do something about homelessness but evidence doesn’t support tiny shelter communities and other temporary solutions can help vulnerable people get to permanent housing.
“Temporary shelters may seem like progress to communities wrestling with the issue of
homelessness, but the evidence doesn’t support the belief that tiny shelter communities
and other similar temporary solutions can help vulnerable individuals transition into
permanent housing,” said Vassilakos.
“By contrast, research does show that an approach
like Housing First is a more effective investment in permanent and supportive housing.”
