This issue: Housing & homelessness

Alec Stratford, MSW, RSW Registrar/Executive Director

At the beginning of last year, far too many people in Nova Scotia were already in core housing need; their home, if they had one, was unsuitable, inadequate or unaffordable, and limited income and a lack of suitable housing alternatives in their community left them little hope of moving to improve their living situation.

When the COVID-19 pandemic reached us last spring, many more households tumbled into crisis, and the cracks in our systems were made starkly visible to all. That visibility has continued as community advocates and frontline workers, including social workers, have continued to illuminate the depth of need in their communities, refusing to allow this pressing issue to be reshadowed.

Bearing witness to these efforts has been a privilege, and an invitation. Our contributors for this issue have generously answered that call.

While the systems we work within have the potential to amplify our efforts to effect change, they can also act as an impediment to practicing our professional values. Turn to page 16 to read about the ethical imperative for social workers to politicize moral distress and challenge the status quo.

On page 19 the co-leads of the Housing for All Working Group write about their report published earlier this year, which applied our Social Policy Framework to map exactly what would be required to systematically address Nova Scotia’s persistent (and growing) housing insecurity. Effective public policy is evidence-informed and values-driven, rather than market-driven; I devoutly hope to see provincial leaders demonstrate the necessary empathy and moral courage as they address these challenges, and I invite all Nova Scotians to make their voices heard on this vital matter (page 21).

While we have data that shows us that the housing crisis is real, data about homelessness is murkier; there’s enough to clearly show that suffering is real, and urgent, but comprehensive tracking – who is affected, where are they in the province, and are current interventions working – is under-resourced. Nadia Siritsky checked in with a few of the social workers and organizations whose work addresses homelessness in Nova Scotia, and reflects on their perspectives on page 24.

On page 12 we shine a spotlight on some of the social workers who will be honoured at our new annual awards gala this October. The inaugural event will also include a brand new award for a community ally who staunchly supports the social justice mandate of our profession; we do not do our work alone.

We’re also excited to announce our first Advocacy Day, a new annual event beginning in March 2022 that will facilitate collaboration between social workers, social work educators and students, and the communities we serve, in order to provoke and inspire change (page 11).

Finally, we close this issue with a tribute to a social justice powerhouse, the late Sharon Murphy, who passed away from COVID-19 earlier this year. Sharon strove to live by the values of her profession, and inspired many others to do the same.

Meanwhile, our College has continued our commitment to ensuring ethical and competent social work practice through effective regulation and professional development. Our program of events this fall includes feedback sessions for Nova Scotian social workers to discuss a proposal intended to embed the principles of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in annual professional development regulations, as well as opportunities for members to deepen their knowledge about social work ethics.

The dedicated effort and creative leadership of our members continues to inspire me. Together, you endeavor to support and empower the communities around you, transforming your dreams of equity and social justice into action, and building towards a future Nova Scotians can thrive in. One where everyone has a home.

Alec Stratford