Column: HOME Event Tackles Homelessness
[Written by Dale Butler]
The history of Bermuda’s efforts to erase homelessness has not been fully documented, but one day someone will document the long and winding road it has taken, with many Bermudians, organizations, and the Government attempting to get a handle on it and complete the task.
The new group HOME, led by Denise Carey, organized a first class event on Friday, October 11th, a day after World Homeless Day.
By the end of 2023, registered charity HOME recorded 811 people who were homeless or threatened with homelessness, and statistically, this is said to put Bermuda near the top of the international ladder, population-wise.
All of the speakers were excellent and have the foresight and commitment to build on the foundation started, to finally end homelessness in Bermuda. The morning session consisted of:
“Tinee S. Furbert, Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, who stated: no one is immune; unforeseen challenges and the need to build a society where everyone has a home were key issues.
“Justice Juan P. Wolffe, Puisne Judge, the Supreme Court of Bermuda. His insight was critical in addressing “duty of care” in dealing with “one of Bermuda’s open secrets” with commitment and compassion. He thanked the many organizations who have been trying over the years and indicated his work with the Homeless Committee Legal Reform Group, and gave an insight into our comparative cost of living, what triggers homelessness, and underlined that the right to have a home should be in the Bermuda Constitutional Order 1968. I have no doubt many of us left to check his favorable reference to “Umugannda” activities in Rwanda, which have led to significant improvements that have dropped barriers to building a better community. Can it be done here again?
“Leslie Grant: Executive Director [Focus], ICADC, ICCS, ICGC [Addiction Counselor and Clinical Supervisor], who is also working to find supportive housing for people living with addiction and substance use treatment, mental health counselling, life skills training, health care access, and employment assistance. He informed us that 40-60% of clients relapse at least once, particularly when housing is absent, and that there are many people suffering in silence. Challenges remaining are many, like: the stigma of being homeless, finding resources, accessibility, community resistance, and NIMBY (not in my backyard). With evidence of success in his hands, he felt confident Bermuda could get it done with increased government and private finance partnerships.
“Dr. Carolyn Armstrong: Director and Founder, Support Therapy for AIDS patients and their relatives [STAR]. “Some people need a house but most want a home.” That rang bells, along with some brief history of “Lighthouse” and Agape House as she championed “each man as my brother. Each man as my friend.”
The afternoon session consisted of presentations from Solstice, Bermuda is Love, and HOME.
In summary, I will close where I started by saying it was a very productive conference that will produce results. A key mantra was given to us by Justice Wolffe: Matthew 25:35-36: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Dale Butler is the Professor of Bermuda Music and writes a variety of reviews for Bernews. When Minister of Social Rehabilitation, he produced Bermuda’s first ground-breaking documentary on the homeless [Out Among the Ins] and as Minister had secured $1million to improve the Salvation Army Housing Shelter and introduce a new plan, prior to his resignation as a Cabinet Minister.
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