Lat week Tim HEARN, former CEO of Imperial Oil wrote an op-ed piece on the extent of Homelessness across Canada. Much of the data used to prepare this "study" are compromised by poor research design and are suspect. One of the figues mentioned was that the true cost of homeless is $100,000 per year. This was taken from the conversations with 2 cops in Reno NV who recount their experience with a homeless man they called "Million Dollar Murray".
Edmonton - East MP Peter GOLDRING was quick to pour cold water on the article reminding readers of exaggerations in this "study". This is not to say I have no compassion for such people - just that by misrepresenting the problem we are not doing them any favours. More affordable housing - and not just inner-city ghettos - would go a long way to reducing the scope of this problem. He mentioned his experience on the city's plan "To End Homelessness" committee and told me it is expected soon.
Then today the CBC had a piece on the high suicide rate of homeless people, mentioning 47 people who died last year and were memorialized.
Here are my recollections of experiences at the Old Strathcona "Out of the Cold Shelter" which ran for 3 years.
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