By GILLIAN SLADE on September 30, 2019.

NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE

Jaime Rogers, manager homelessness and housing development for Medicine Hat Community Housing Society, says there's an increase in the number of homeless people in our community and data indicates some are coming here from other cities. NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADEJaime Rogers, manager homelessness and housing development for Medicine Hat Community Housing Society, says there's an increase in the number of homeless people in our community and data indicates some are coming here from other cities.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com

Medicine Hat Community Housing Society says there are more homeless people in the community recently, and some have come from other cities.

“Historically I have said no to this … but what the data is showing us now, we are actually having more of an increase of individuals moving to the community,” said Jamie Rogers, manager homelessness and housing development for MHCHS. “This past summer we have seen an increase in the number of new people to the community.”

On Wednesday night 19 people spent the night at the homeless shelter in Medicine Hat, said Rogers.

Reports generated from the shelter intake go back to 2013. It reveals information such as whether someone is new to the community, whether someone lives here but has never used a shelter before and even how frequently an individual uses the shelter.

Rogers says Medicine Hat has a fairly good success rate with its “housing first” program. Helping someone get housing is the first step – the next is helping them stay housed.

They need to have a sense of belonging where they are housed and that can be different for each person. It is “case management” that endeavours to help.

“Life happens and things shift in people’s lives over which they have no control,” said Rogers. “We do see people that lose their housing while in the program … and some choose to no longer participate and we respect their wishes.”

Rogers estimates the success of the program is about 76 per cent. The number of people returning to the system repeatedly is about eight per cent. MHCHS is looking at possible changes to achieve a better success rate, said Rogers.

“It is not about putting people into boxes that we have designed, it’s about asking those individuals,” said Rogers. “Sometimes what people need and what we offer are misaligned.”

Rogers says some clients report feeling isolated in housing. It would also be a big adjustment for anyone who has never lived on the street trying to adjust to that lifestyle.

“We might feel isolated and scared and lonely and unsure … new rules,” said Rogers.

If you have lived on the street for a long time there is the challenge of shopping and making your own meals.

“On the streets they are some of the most creative and brilliant people. They are the best at budgeting,” said Rogers, pointing to a sense of belonging and community among those living on the streets.

For that eight per cent one of the potential solutions is congregate or co-operate living or even hostels, said Rogers. Each person has their own room but a communal lounge and dining room with meals prepared for them and support workers on site.

“That’s a very different feel than a shelter or actually having your own apartment that you’re responsible for,” said Rogers.

A small number of people who use the shelter turn down the offer of supports, said Rogers. Some of the reasons include not wanting to spend a portion of their income on housing. For others it is related to an addiction.

Rogers says for some vulnerable people a shelter can feel like a dangerous place because they may struggle with being in close proximity to others. Lack of sleep in that environment can contribute to this and trigger a range of mental health issues.

Sometimes their past has them choosing not to seek help but Rogers says that should not deter someone.

“Nothing in anyone’s past would prevent us from providing housing and supports for them and doing our very best from an assistance perspective,” said Rogers. “Housing is a basic, fundamental human right.”