Nespresso has pledged £1 million to Change Please, a social enterprise that combats homelessness through barista training and employment opportunities. The partnership will expand Change Please’s reach to Ireland and support its efforts to provide housing, mental health support, and financial stability for those experiencing homelessness.
The number of seniors using homeless shelters in Fredericton has surged in recent years, driven by rising living costs and a lack of affordable housing. According to Warren Maddox, executive director of Fredericton Homeless Shelters, the increase is likely between 20 and 30 percent since 2021, and he predicts it will continue. The aging population of Baby Boomers is expected to further contribute to the trend over the next decade. Madeleine Gaudet, board president of Stepping Stone Senior Centre, expressed shock at the rise but acknowledged warning signs. Seniors with fixed incomes are particularly vulnerable to the impact of rising housing costs. The issue is not isolated to Fredericton, as a study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reported a national increase in older adults accessing shelters.
San Francisco has launched a new grocery market where eligible residents can receive free groceries, a program that aims to ease the burden on food stamp holders and address the city’s homelessness problem. The Food Empowerment Market, which cost taxpayers $5.5 million, supplements food stamp benefits and provides a safety net for families facing food insecurity. The program has drawn mixed reactions, with some critics questioning the effectiveness of providing free food without addressing underlying issues like homelessness and addiction.
`”No Place To Go”`, a report by Vibrant Communities Calgary, reveals a surge in social disorder incidents in public areas, including transit stations. Calls for police assistance related to loitering, littering, and mental health concerns have spiked in recent years, while toxic drug deaths are increasingly occurring in public spaces. The report highlights the need for stable housing, daytime options for the homeless, and improved access to medical care and harm reduction services.
The Regina Downtown Business Improvement District (RDBID) and The Comeback Society have joined forces to rebrand the Downtown Regina Community Support Program as the Regina Street Team (RST). The RST will continue to provide services for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, and substance-use-related distress. The program’s expansion and rebranding demonstrate the ongoing commitment to supporting Regina’s downtown community and addressing complex social issues.
The City of Calgary has adopted 28 recommendations from the Downtown Safety Leadership Table, aiming to improve downtown safety and the visitor experience. The recommendations range from short-term measures like enhanced cleaning and public washrooms to long-term strategies involving police presence, community collaboration, and support for at-risk individuals.
In response to the growing number of homeless encampments, Portland, Oregon, has implemented new rules that could result in fines or jail time for homeless individuals who refuse offers of shelter. The ordinance, which received unanimous approval from the City Council, aims to balance the need for public safety with the challenges of addressing homelessness. Those who choose to accept shelter will not be penalized, but those who reject offers and engage in certain prohibited behaviors, such as blocking sidewalks or starting fires, could face penalties of up to $100 or seven days in jail.
Residents of Highland Park, Los Angeles, have expressed outrage over the increasing number of tiny homes being constructed by homeless residents on the side of the Los Angeles freeway. The homes, made from tarps, scrap metal, and tents, are described as fully functional, with electricity, lighting, and even hammocks. Some residents have expressed empathy for the individuals living in the homes, while others have raised concerns about safety hazards and the use of public property. Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez have addressed the concerns, asking for donations to a campaign for affordable housing and promising to address the safety issues posed by the tiny home encampment.
Halifax is planning to open more designated sites for people experiencing homelessness as the number of unhoused individuals continues to grow and encampments become more crowded. The municipality’s director of housing and homelessness, Max Chauvin, said there are between 60 and 70 people sleeping rough in the city. The report described designated encampments as a temporary “necessity” but cautioned they are not a solution. It noted encampments are often unsafe for people living in them and become issues for the surrounding community. No specific locations for the new sites were identified in the report.
Upon her return from a week-long trip to China, San Francisco Mayor London Breed has been met with criticism from constituents facing ongoing crime and homelessness crises in the city. Critics argue that Breed’s focus on pandas for the San Francisco Zoo and photo opportunities abroad highlights her disregard for the urgent needs of her residents. Despite police department claims of a lower crime rate compared to previous years, San Franciscans report persistent concerns about rising crime, including a 14.8% increase in robberies and a 6.3% increase in motor vehicle thefts in 2023. Breed’s efforts to secure pandas for the zoo have also drawn criticism, with some arguing that it should not be prioritized over addressing more pressing issues such as homelessness, crime, and drug addiction. Despite Breed’s announcement of plans to establish a curfew in the Tenderloin neighborhood to curb crime, critics maintain that the city’s public safety initiatives require further improvement.
