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Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Fading into the background
Opinion The number of people in Canada experiencing homelessness continues to climb despite increased government funding. This prompted dozens of experts from across the country to gather at a landmark forum convened by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) to look for answers to help the 34,000 Canadians who — on any given night — don't have a decent place of their own. The main outcome of this gathering, the new report Housing First: What's Next?, released this week, confirms what we've witnessed firsthand: there are proven and effective approaches to end chronic homelessness. The report asserts that Housing First — a Canadian-made strategy that addresses housing insecurity — is a proven method to effectively keep people stably housed over the long term. As a country, how do we stand by as our neighbours cycle through emergency rooms, shelters, and jails? Why do we settle for high-cost band-aid interventions when a permanent fix is already within reach? It's like searching for reading glasses perched on our head. We can't expect people to recover from mental illness or addiction without the dignity of a door that locks. Securing safe, affordable housing is the crucial first step. It's a moral imperative, and fiscally responsible. The principle is straightforward: offer permanent housing in regular units scattered throughout communities — no strings attached — then deliver tailored supports for mental health, substance misuse, employment, and community integration. Rather than requiring people to 'earn' housing through demonstrated 'good behaviour,' Housing First posits – correctly – that a safe place to live is foundational for recovery. Just as we wouldn't expect someone with pneumonia to get better in the rain, we can't expect someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia to recover while navigating shelter waitlists. We were both heavily involved in At Home/Chez Soi, a federally funded $110 million project launched by the MHCC, which ran from 2008 to 2013. It found that chronic homelessness could be ended permanently for most people by combining housing with portable support. With decades of experience under our belts, our conviction has not wavered. Like the dozens of experts who participated in the workshop that led to the report, we continue to believe Housing First should be adopted and scaled up as best practice. When people have stable housing and access to community supports, we see measurable results: fewer hospitalizations, reduced emergency room visits, and decreased police interactions. These outcomes help offset the cost of implementing Housing First programs. While other countries have embraced this Canadian best practice — Finland and Norway have nearly eliminated chronic homelessness using a Housing First approach — we're still working to fully realize what we ourselves have pioneered. Despite its proven success, implementing Housing First is hard work. It requires carefully coordinating health, housing, justice, and social services that typically operate in silos. It forces us to confront the uncomfortable reality that our housing market has become the privilege of the few, rather than a basic human right. But these challenges can be overcome. During our national forum, experts agreed that an ever-shifting landscape requires an equally nimble response. Our report serves as a call to action and a road map: we need Housing First programs to follow the At Home/Chez Soi model, while upping the ante by collecting better data, creating culturally appropriate supports, establishing improved workforce training, boosting leadership, and increasing public engagement. Creating more deeply affordable housing is also urgent, encouraging private market and not-for-profit landlords to support individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness — people who are deserving of equitable access to housing opportunities. Taken together, we know this will transform lives. Ironically, when Housing First works well, you don't see it. People integrate into communities as tenants and neighbours, a refreshing contrast to the increasing visibility of suffering on our streets. We can all contribute to meaningful change. By understanding evidence-based approaches and working within our communities to prioritize and implement them, we create pathways to housing stability. Each of us has a role in fostering communities where everyone has a place to call home. Above all, we must never turn away from suffering, especially knowing the proven remedy is in plain sight. Tim Aubry is Emeritus Professor at the University of Ottawa and Co-Chair of the Canadian Housing First Network, and Jino Distasio, is a professor at the University of Winnipeg.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mt. Hood Community College celebrates after voters narrowly approve bond measure
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Mt. Hood Community College is celebrating after voters narrowly approved a $136 million bond measure in Tuesday's election. With the passage of Measure 26-258, the bond will fund upgrades to campus buildings, safety improvements, as well as classrooms and other learning spaces, MHCC administration said. US Attorney's Office files to recover $6.7M stolen in scam against City of Portland According to the Secretary of State's election results page, returns showed the bond passing at 50.16% – a difference of only 131 votes. The win also marks the first successful bond measure for the Gresham-based college in 50 years, after they tried for bond requests six previous times since opening in 1966. 'We are profoundly grateful to our community for this vote of confidence,' said MHCC President Dr. Lisa Skari. 'With the passage of Measure 26-258, we can now take bold steps to modernize our facilities and create learning environments that match the excellence of our students and faculty—so that everyone has an opportunity to get a great education.' Oregon bill offering unemployment benefits to striking workers could 'destabilize' school services, superintendents warn The college added the funds from the bond will also be used to repair and replace outdated HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, as well as 'enhance safety an accessibility across campus.' MHCC further noted they will begin implementing the bond in the coming months and appoint an oversight committee to 'ensure transparency and accountability.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Heritage association objects to toilet block near Oval Maidan
Mumbai: The Fort Heritage Conservation Association has written to the BMC objecting to construction of a new toilet block opposite Bombay High Court and adjacent to the Grade I heritage Oval Maidan. In a letter dated May 16, the association criticized the proposed design as "a pastiche/ tasteless imitation," arguing that it disrespects the historical and architectural significance of the World Heritage precinct. "We have earlier iterated that the toilet stands near the Grade I sites of the Oval Maidan (within 100m), the University of Mumbai, and the High Court; which are at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai'. Additionally, this location is also a part of the Fort Heritage Precinct. As per the Heritage Control Regulations presented in Section 52 of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR), any new construction at such an important site requires 'sensitive' development in terms of mass, scale, and setting and requires conservation of its heritage and cultural significance. Any new addition should not alter the character of the precinct. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The new interventions could be contemporary but subtle or inspired by the original character, but should not be a pastiche/tasteless imitation of it," states the letter. A public toilet that was earlier on the same location had been demolished. The association stated that through documents obtained through a govt official in March 2025, they have observed that there are no updated designs nor has approval been sought from the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC). "The designs shared continue to expand the footprint and have a flat roof with a character that is insensitive to the heritage character of the World Heritage Site. Under the guise of providing a public amenity toilet, the structure also includes Rest Rooms, Store Areas, Waiting Area, Locker Rooms/ Luggage Rooms, Shower Rooms, Changing Areas, Office Room and Record Room," it said. When contacted, civic officials clarified that the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) had granted approval on June 13, 2024, for the construction of a toilet block in front of the high court. "During a review meeting on December 18, 2024, the Municipal Commissioner directed that the existing Solid Waste Management (SWM) labour chowky, adjacent to the proposed toilet block, also be integrated into this structure. A unified building was preferred," said a civic official. Revised plans were accordingly submitted to the MHCC, featuring a ground-plus-one composite building that includes the toilet block and SWM chowky.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Colaba residents move HC against controversial jetty and terminal project
MUMBAI: The Clean and Heritage Colaba Residents' Association (CHCRA), representing 400 residents, filed a writ petition in the Bombay high court on Monday against the Mumbai Maritime Board (MMB), the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), the BMC's Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC), the traffic police and the contractor constructing the proposed 'passenger jetty and terminal facilities' in the sea. The project is approximately 280 metres from the Gateway of India, near the Radio Club end of the Colaba seafront. The residents have objected to the scale of the proposed project, calling it excessive, and have specifically contested the MCZMA's approval of March 2, 2023, which treated the project as a 'standalone jetty'. The petition states that the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification permits only consideration of 'standalone jetties'—a category that this large multi-functional structure does not fall under. The petition also contests the heritage NOC of February 7, 2025, granted by the municipal architect despite the fact that the project site lies within the buffer/vista zone of the Gateway of India, a Grade I listed heritage monument, and the Fort precinct. It also submits that access to the terminal reportedly involves the removal of a section of the Gateway promenade/sea wall, an area where even minor facade changes to private buildings are currently restricted. It states that the MHCC has nonetheless approved the project, which threatens to dwarf and visually disrupt the iconic Gateway structure. CHRCA has thus sought a review of the decision to build the jetty and terminal from the P J Ramchandani Marg footpath area into the sea, and urged the court to restrain MMB from demolishing the promenade wall, and proceeding with construction. It argues that the project threatens the character of the Gateway precinct and will obstruct pedestrian access along the popular seafront promenade. The citizens' group has also contested the traffic NOC issued by the Mumbai police on February 28, 2025. Its contention is that despite ongoing and severe congestion in the area, the Mumbai traffic police granted an NOC, considering only the construction phase and not the operational impact of the terminal and jetty. It also states in the petition that there was no public notice, hearing, or opportunity for objections afforded to the local residents at any stage of the approval process. Following the bhoomi poojan in March 2025, the state's minister for ports development publicly stated that the jetty would be used exclusively for VIPs, celebrities and cricketers' yachts, further reinforcing the project's exclusionary and non-public nature, says the petition. It submits that the proposed passenger jetty and terminal facilities, covering nearly 15 acres of sea area, with a jetty extending over half a kilometre into the sea and directly abutting a protected heritage site, is illegal, arbitrary, irrational, and destructive to the character and heritage of the Gateway of India precinct. CHCRA's advocate Prerak Choudhary told HT, 'We tried our best to have a dialogue with them but despite giving us assurances, they proceeded with the project and left us with no option but to move court.'
