1. Introduction: In Ottawa’s ByWard Market, Brian Dagenais embarked on what he believed was a noble endeavor: participating in the city’s housing first program. However, his experience turned into a nightmare of property damage and neglect, highlighting the challenges landlords face in supporting homeless individuals.

2. Understanding the Housing First Program:

1. Initiated in Ottawa in 2014, the housing first program aims to offer stable housing, rental assistance, and support services to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
2. Landlords like Dagenais were enticed by promises of guaranteed rent and access to a city-backed damage fund to mitigate risks.

3. High Expectations, Disappointing Outcomes:

1. Dagenais entered the program with optimism, hoping to make a positive impact by providing housing to supported clients.
2. However, he soon encountered significant challenges, including inadequate support and monitoring for tenants.

4. The Toll of Neglect:

1. Over four years, Dagenais estimates property damage at approximately $200,000, rendering some units uninhabitable.
2. Issues such as neglect, safety concerns, and disruptive behavior by tenants and their guests became prevalent.

5. Broken Promises:

1. Despite assurances of ongoing support, landlords like Dagenais found themselves grappling with problems independently.
2. Communication gaps and a lack of assistance from housing agencies exacerbated the situation, leaving landlords feeling abandoned.

6. A Frustrated Landlord Speaks Out:

1. Reflecting on his experience, Dagenais expresses regret over his decision to participate in the program.
2. He calls for greater accountability and collaboration between housing agencies and the city to address the shortcomings of the housing first approach.

7. Impact on Landlords:

1. Beyond financial losses, landlords face emotional stress and strain on their properties due to inadequate tenant support.
2. The burden of maintaining properties and dealing with tenant-related issues takes a toll on landlords’ well-being.

8. Seeking Solutions:

1. Dagenais advocates for comprehensive support systems that extend beyond initial housing placement, emphasizing the importance of ongoing assistance and monitoring.
2. Collaboration between landlords, housing agencies, and the city is essential to ensure the success and sustainability of housing first initiatives.

9. Lessons Learned:

1. Dagenais’s experience underscores the complexities of addressing homelessness and the need for holistic solutions that prioritize both tenants’ needs and landlords’ concerns.
2. Recognizing and addressing gaps in support and communication are crucial for improving the effectiveness of housing first programs.

10. Conclusion:

1. While the housing first program aims to provide permanent housing solutions for homeless individuals, its implementation often falls short, leaving landlords like Dagenais to bear the brunt of its shortcomings.
2. By acknowledging and addressing these challenges collaboratively, stakeholders can work towards creating more effective and sustainable solutions for homelessness in our communities.