Government has ‘vital’ role in ending homelessness
A charity case manager said the Government has a “vital” role to play in reducing homelessness in Bermuda and urged the community to hold their leaders accountable.
Omar Dill, case manager at the charity Home, which hosted an Ending Homelessness Together conference last week, argued that structural issues were at the root of the problem and could be addressed through effective legislation and policymaking.
He was speaking during a panel discussion at the closing of the conference at the Bermuda Industrial Union. He was joined by Christopher Bean, operations manager at Dignity House, Shomari Talbot-Woolridge, chairman of Progressive Minds, and Gavin Smith, life coach for the Transitional Community Services.
Aaron Crichlow, lawyer and cofounder of Bermuda Is Love, was mediator.
Mr Dill said changes needed to be made to tenancy and Airbnb laws to ensure Bermudians could access rental properties.
He said funds also needed to be allocated from the corporate income tax, a 15 per cent tax on multinational enterprises with revenues of €750 million (about $827 million), to tackle the problem.
He said on a policy level, the cost of energy, housing and food must be further reduced.
“Government has a vital role to play,” he said.
“How long until we stand up? If they are in a position of power and we believe they are not good enough, we have to hold our leaders accountable. I want the brightest and best leading me.”
The Royal Gazette, in conjunction with stakeholders including Home, has launched its Ending Homelessness campaign to remind the community that people affected by homelessness matter.
Home, and others, want to end homelessness. So do we. We want your support. We want you to change your perception of members of the unsheltered population. We want you to help lobby for simple changes. We want you to show compassion.
Homeless people want to work so that they can be self-sufficient. They did not choose to be homeless, and in many cases their plight was brought about by systemic failings in this country.
Mr Talbot-Woolridge said that the Government had made “incremental changes” that were not addressing the root cause of homelessness.
He highlighted government social services initiatives such as creating affordable housing and reducing fees on mortgage transfers, but said the issue was structural.
“Government is not in a position nor has the mandate to make the structural changes,” he said.
“I think it is going to take a larger and more comprehensive approach to lower the cost and to add additional housing to the market.
“One-bedroom apartments are needed. Family dynamics have completely changed from 30, 40, 50 years ago.
“The solutions that we, as a country, are putting forward are incremental. Since Covid, the housing market around the world has gone into disarray.
“International business has become a big factor when it comes to the increase in costs — we are competing with people with a housing allowance.
“Bermudians need to have an advantage. We have to close that gap.”
The panellist discussed the need for a return to values that promoted community to help those vulnerable to homelessness.
Mr Smith urged members of the community to “reach out to a youth”.
“There is a loneliness epidemic. Reach out and listen more than talk.
“We don’t have enough conversations in society in general with young men. A lot of our boys don’t have access to men.
“They need a big brother to spend some time with them. Pull up on a youth, a man, ask him how he is doing. You will see some changes. A lot of our men are not being talked to.”
Mr Bean said: “Government does play a massive part in legislation but at the end of the day, it boils down to us as a people.
“A big issue in today’s climate is lack of intergenerational connectivity. Youth aren’t hearing that wisdom. There is so much knowledge that isn’t being passed down to the next generation.”
Mr Talbot-Woolridge said it was important to move with the times while keeping those values.
He added: “Reminiscing about good old days isn’t going to work — we have to create a new world. We have to be innovative, think outside box to build a Bermuda for the 21st century and beyond.
“The world is evolving and we have to evolve with it.
“When we go away and come back, we see simple things that we don’t have that others do — advancements in technology … it is going to have to change.”
The conference gathered community leaders, advocates, social workers, policymakers and individuals with lived experiences of homelessness to discuss challenges facing our society
Four members of the community were presented with Emerging Leaders awards by Denise Carey, the executive director of Home. They are listed below with comments made by Ms Carey.
Omar Dill, case manager at Home
“He has significantly enhanced what Home has to offer by introducing his own style of case management. He shows initiative and is consistently driven by the results of his clients.”
Gladwyn Johnson, junior addictions counsellor at Focus Counselling Services
“He has a heart for helping people achieve sobriety and rebuilding their lives through personalised care. His compassionate and dedicated support empowers individuals to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.”
Gavin Smith, life coach for the Transitional Community Services
“He innately cares about his community but has a particular interest in young, Black men … he has the ability to identify the strengths in others and demonstrates an awareness on how to enhance those strengths. He is a fierce and unapologetic advocate, placing his advocacy on how we can improve upon what has already existed to ensure that those who need our services do not have to face obstacles or barriers to access.”
Kelli Edwards, family services co-ordinator and residential care worker
“She has always displayed a passionate spirit for others. She actively engages in problem-solving, providing assurance to the client that every stone possible is overturned for a resolve. She has always been inclusive of providing assistance and support for the sheltered and unsheltered alike.”
Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, called for immediate action earlier in the conference.
She said: “Together, we can build a society where every person has the dignity of a home and the opportunity to thrive.
"Life, as we know, brings unforeseen challenges, and no one is immune to the pressures that can lead someone to experience homelessness.“
She spoke of the Government's commitment to increasing access to safe and affordable housing, strengthening social safety nets and fostering partnerships with community organisations.
She urged community collaboration on finding and implementing solutions, adding: “Your work is crucial to turning the tide on homelessness.
“To those on the front lines of this issue, your dedication saves lives and restores hope. Let this conference be a powerful step towards a more compassionate and supportive community for all."
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