VIMHS
Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
Supportive housing providers hoping to change systems and attitudes
Supportive housing providers hoping to change systems and attitudes
Supportive housing providers hoping to change systems and attitudes
Friday 12th May 2023
Explore systemic changes needed in supportive housing with insights from industry leaders Kathy Stinson and Carolina Ibarra.
25 minutes
Informative
Compassionate
Hopeful
Educational
Supportive
About this podcast
Author:
VIMHS
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Community & Support Networks
Policy & Advocacy
Body & Mind
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Episodes:
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Get the buttons here!Reimagining Supportive Housing: Challenges and Success Stories
Episode Overview
- Supportive housing needs more proactive investment rather than reactive measures.
- Legal frameworks like the Residential Tenancy Act require amendments to better serve vulnerable populations.
- Successful models like Camas Gardens demonstrate the importance of adequate resources and community involvement.
- Complex care should be well-resourced supportive housing tailored to individual needs.
- Community engagement can help reshape societal attitudes towards homelessness.
We know what works... It's either spent doing things properly upfront or comes afterwards when more money is required.
In this episode of People First Radio, two influential figures from the supportive housing sector, Kathy Stinson and Carolina Ibarra, shed light on the urgent need for systemic changes in how supportive housing is managed. The conversation kicks off with a discussion about the recent column in the Victoria Times Colonist, where housing providers called for amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act and critiqued the reactive nature of current housing strategies.
Kathy and Carolina explore how supportive housing has evolved over the years, particularly in response to crises like the opioid epidemic. They emphasise the importance of understanding the complex needs of individuals who rely on supportive housing, including those with chronic homelessness, mental health issues, and physical disabilities. The episode provides a candid look at the challenges faced by housing providers, including the limitations imposed by existing legal frameworks and the dire need for more proactive investments.
The hosts highlight successful examples of supportive housing models, such as Camas Gardens and Uplands Walk, where community engagement and adequate resources have led to positive outcomes for residents. Listeners are invited to reflect on the broader societal attitudes towards homelessness and supportive housing, questioning preconceived notions and considering how better funding and staffing could transform these environments. Kathy and Carolina advocate for a collaborative approach, encouraging neighbours and communities to engage with supportive housing providers directly.
This episode is a call to action for anyone interested in social justice and community welfare. It challenges you to consider how supportive housing can be improved through collective effort and understanding, paving the way for healthier communities.