Homeless people in P.E.I. need help now, advocates say

Housing advocates say the P.E.I. government's plan to set up modular housing units in Charlottetown is a good first step to help the growing number of people who are homeless in the province, but that more help is needed right away, as well as long-term supports.

The province announced a plan this week to set up 40 to 50 mobile housing units in the parking lot of the COVID-19 testing site on Park Street by mid-November.

Lorraine Goley at the Upper Room Soup Kitchen said she is seeing more people coming through who have been living in tents. The need to do something immediately is urgent, she said, and can't wait for the modular homes to arrive.

On Friday, she said, with the temperature in Charlottetown struggling to get into the mid-teens, people were already complaining about the cold. She sees that as an expression of concern about what's coming.

"What are they going to be worried about come next week or next month? It is a panic for them, and a really sick worry," Goley said.

While there is an urgent need, Goley stressed it is equally important to develop permanent solutions. She doesn't want to see people moved into hotels for the winter and then moved out again next summer to make room for tourists.

In developing those long-term solutions, she said, government officials shouldn't be making any assumptions.

"Don't just presume you know what they want and need. That needs to be the first thing," said Goley. "They need to do the research on what the people need rather than telling them what they need. Ask them what they need, and actually listen to them."

That means more than just putting a roof over their heads, she said. Some have been living on the street for years, and they will need help to get back on their feet. But, she said, it's not entirely up to government to fix this problem. 

"It's got to be a two-way thing. They've got to be helped, but they've got to take on responsibilities, looking after what they've been given," said Goley.

"Then hopefully we can come together. It's a two-way street. It's got to be dealt with on both sides."

Goley also said most of the people she serves don't have access to water, washrooms, heat, or a safe place to use hard drugs and prevent overdoses.

"If they're going to put 40, 50 mobile homes, maybe one of them could be a safe injection site that they could use," she suggested.

PEERS Alliance is also pushing for more help for people living with addictions, including access to portable washrooms at the tent cities.