...People on low fixed incomes, including those on disability pensions, CPP/OAS, EI, welfare, veterans benefits, union pensions – are finding themselves coming to our shelters. Finding affordable housing for them to move to is very difficult outside of the Downtown Eastside (DTES). The DTES has the greatest concentration of affordable housing of anywhere in Canada, and as a result, many individuals are forced into the area to access the affordable rents. Once here it is an unfortunate fact that they are at higher risk with the rampant and visible drug use/trade all around.
Lookout tries to prevent people from being forced into the area solely for cheap rents, and to create opportunities for DTES residents to access housing outside the Downtown Eastside.
You can help Lookout get affordable housing for people outside the Downtown Eastside by subsidizing the rent of a unit. This brings the rent down to either the shelter portion of assistance, or close to it.
This makes a difference to the homeless incrementally. Where the individual no longer needs the subsidy, the subsidy can be moved to another unit or another person. Lookout already has 25 subsidies like it, and it works wonders for the people concerned, because it gives them autonomy, a normalized environment and support through our Outreach Team. The subsidy can range from $75 per month to $300, depending on the unit found.