In Vancouver the issue of homelessness and drug use deaths has been in the state of permanent crisis for years and years with governments of all types vacillati

In Vancouver the issue of homelessness and drug use deaths has been in the state of permanent crisis for years and years with governments of all types vacillating between various actions, taking a bold step forward here, experiencing a set back, then taking a step back to the status quo and so forth. All the while the simple reality remains that at no point has there ever actually been enough homes for everyone who needs one, and in fact, despite whatever homes have been built in the last decade, the city experienced a net loss of affordable housing in total, and the net amount of people experiencing homelessness has only increased. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills here watching this because I don't understand how anyone expects anyone to get any traction whatsoever on resolving more difficult personal problems like drug use disorders or mental health when they don't actually have anywhere to live. Whether it's "housing first" or "housing last" the insane thing that I see in Vancouver is that it seems to be neither! Solving a big complex problem you gotta start with a good foundation here and the basics. Ok step one: ensure you actually have housing for literally everyone in your society. Ok if you've done that now work on the more challenging complex stuff.