SPARE CHANGE SOLUTIONS

A while back, I asked for reader feedback on how Edmonton could
tackle the issue of panhandlers, especially the burgeoning numbers of
them downtown.

Edmonton planner Myron Belej answered my challenge by going above and
beyond the call of duty.

Belej is a City of Edmonton plannner by day and is involved with a
so-called urban design salon by night - a group (www.cityplanner.ca)
that tries to come up with innovative solutions to issues that plague
all cities.

Belej ran my column by the members of Edmonton's Urban Design Salon
who came up with a whack of interesting notions on the panhandling
problem by churning out a paper on it.

"Panhandlers ... ask for money largely to support addictions, and can
be pushy when they do so, because of the incessant nature of
addiction," said the group.

True - and it's something most law enforcement officials and social
agencies realize.

Belej's group notes the hot spots for panhandlers include anywhere
there are lots of people wandering with some cash. Whyte Avenue,
Jasper Avenue and Oliver Square are heaven to panhandlers.

The group agrees with police who figure the best solution is
educating the public to not give money since it most often goes to
feed an addiction.

While some city council members have punted around the idea of an
anti-panhandling bylaw, the urban design salon members don't agree.

"People should also have the option of giving the panhandlers
something, particularly if they feel better and safer in doing so."

But the group would like to see Edmonton adopt a type of voucher
program that's worked elsewhere.

"For this, we recommend the social agencies work together to develop
a booklet of vouchers or tickets that people can purchase to hand out
for services such as haircuts or for food - or for credit toward
useful purchases such as suits for job interviews."

That might work, although you have to wonder how quickly a black
market in coupons would spring up.

I was once approached by a street person at a grocery store who
wanted to sell me a $10 gift certificate for $5 - likely so the quick
cash could buy drugs or booze. Addicts can be pretty conniving.

"On the same line, many cities have put a twist on their bottle depot
programs," the group noted.

"Rather than giving out money, some cities provide people with
credits for education, learning new skills, getting help with a
resume, or vouchers for various services."

That might help out a few hardcore boozers, but I'm thinking many
would figure a way around the well-intentioned program.

Belej's group, though, rightly recognizes the bigger part of the
panhandling problem stems from the fact we've got a homelessness
problem in Edmonton that's getting worse."Fundamentally, we want to
build up people's independence and self-worth. We want to help people
to help themselves ...

"We can facilitate this by hiring social workers to approach the
homeless directly and ask them what they need.

"Some need housing. Some need help with counselling and/or
addictions. Some need help finding a job and some just need a cheque
for first month's rent to get back on their feet.

"Some people require as little as $500 to $1,000 to get an address,
food and some clean clothes to start applying for work."

Yes, that kind of program would likely change many a panhandler's
life - so long as that person wasn't in the grips of an addiction.