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October 10, 2008
More homes needed
Tikva society puts forward five-pronged plan.
SUSAN KATZ
With the words, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it's not!" blazoning as the backdrop, the Tikva Housing Society began its 2008 annual general meeting on Sept. 16. The filled-to-capacity Seniors Lounge at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver was a testament to the awareness and dedication of members in the community for resolving the serious crisis of homelessness among the vulnerable in our midst.
The facts about homelessness in the community are that approximately 3,200 Jewish people (14 per cent of the Jewish population) in Greater Vancouver live below the poverty line. That means that 2,175 adults, 420 children and 560 seniors are in need of affordable, appropriate, safe and accessible housing. Currently, there are 687 units created by Jewish organizations in partnership with government funds, 97.3 per cent of which are occupied by seniors. Of these, Jewish tenants fill approximately 258. Placements in the majority of the 687 units are controlled by the Vancouver Health Authority.
There is a shortfall in housing for adults and families in need. People in need of housing are migrating from short-stay shelter to shelter and are eating at soup kitchens; if they are lucky, they are bringing their children to stay with friends and relatives and "couch surfing." Some are living on the street, and in cars.
This year, the Tikva Housing Society was able to honor one family in particular for their commitment to turning around the homelessness crisis in the community. The society announced a $1 million donation by the Ben and Esther Dayson Charitable Foundation to facilitate the purchase of an apartment building, to be known as the Esther Dayson House. As representatives of the foundation, directors Shirley Barnett and Philip Dayson were presented with a mezuzah, which will be fixed to the new house.
"Let us hope that this will not just be the 'next' project, but that it will be the next in a whole line of similar projects," said Dayson.
This donation will continue the community's efforts to reduce the lack of affordable housing units available to Jewish singles and families. Currently, there is Tikva's Danny Guincher House, with 11 units, where six clients have already been placed. Vancouver Yaffa Housing Society's Yaffa House provides five bedrooms and Asteh emergency shelter for families fleeing abuse has one unit.
Laura Stannard, housing co-ordinator at the Jewish Family Service Agency, reported at the meeting that, in Vancouver, there is currently a 0.3 per cent vacancy rate in studio and one-bedroom apartments and that placing anyone in one would be "like a miracle." Stannard described the case of one woman who was employed as a nurse, but who, after being struck by a drunk driver, was left disabled and dependent on others for her housing and care.
In the spirit of Rabbi Hillel, v'ahavta le r'echa k'mocha, love thy fellow as thyself, Rozanne Kipnes, one of Tikva's co-chairs, presented the plan for five housing solutions for 2008-2010. The solutions include an increase in the housing capacities of existing Jewish and non-Jewish co-op housing and nonprofit agencies; an increase in access to existing government programs; the purchase of new buildings; the building of new units; and the possibility of providing rent supplements. More opportunities may come when the Olympic village units become available for nonprofit housing after the 2010 Winter Games are over.
Tikva Housing is largely a volunteer-run organization, supported by one half-time staff position funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. As housing director, Susana Cogan does everything from organizing fundraising, to attending project development meetings, to emptying coin caches in the laundry rooms of the residences and moving furniture for new tenants who have no support networks of their own. She said the society always welcomes new members.
Susan Katz is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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