Edmonton Social Planning Council and Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness have released a report looking at the barriers that prevent newly housed people staying successfully housed. The report also suggests some solutions and enhancements that can be put in place to support those who are newly housed or who are on a low income and struggling to hold on to their homes.

Some of the reasons for tenancy failure

  1. People can't always afford suitable accommodation so end up in precarious or sub-standard housing
  2. People can't always get housing because they need references, have a criminal record and/or a poor credit history
  3. Sometimes people lose their home because it is unsafe and/or infested with cockroaches, mold or above all bed bugs
  4. People occasionally also lose their home because they return to addictions and/or suffer an episode of severe mental illnes
  5. Some people lose their housing due to conflicts with landlords and other tenants
  6. Some people lose their home because they have trouble managing their finances or other essential aspects of daily living.

Investing further in solutions already in place

  1. Increased development of quality affordable housing run by landlords motivated by a desire to help their tenants succeed.
  2. Ensure a Housing First approach that recognizes that tenants with higher acuity (e.g. addictions, mental illness, and/or previous episodes of homelessness) may well require second and third chances.
  3. Develop better programs to help those with low or modest incomes housing. This includes help with the first month’s rent, utilities, furnishings and damage deposit. Many of these programs are being provided to persons who qualify for the Housing First program, but not to thousands of other Edmontonians with similar needs but not in Housing First.
  4. Recognize that some tenants will require ongoing rental assistance and supports on an indefinite basis.
  5. Bed bugs are forcing many low income tenants to lose their housing and/or their personal belongings on a repeated basis. Bed bugs represent a public health emergency, and a more city wide approach to fighting this menace is required.

Policies that will encourage housing retention

  1. Construct or renovate additional safe and affordable housing of a wide range of types and sizes throughout the city and region, and thereby maximize tenant choice.
  2. Eliminate long waits for affordable and suitable accommodation by developing and implementing a more comprehensive, seamless and fully funded rent supplement program; rental assistance for qualifying low income persons and families is an essential homelessness prevention approach.
  3. More effective and better support services to keep people housed. These services include addictions treatment, mental health services, and improved financial literacy skills.
  4. Ensure low income tenants are heard and included in any of the changes and decisions being contemplated to improve tenancy retention.