(This article is part five of a five-part series on the differing perspectives of the homeless versus mainstream culture and how that stigma associated with being homeless directly affects their relationships between authorities, public space and themselves.)

Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick and Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran said adopting or supporting the adaptation of a Homeless Charter of Rights is a possibility for both the city and B.C.

The document, which was created by a Calgary-based homeless organization, outlines the human rights of people who experience homelessness, such as their right to access space, facilities, social services, health care and to be treated with respect and dignity.

香蕉视频直播淔rom what I know about the Homeless Charter of Rights, it香蕉视频直播檚 a social movement designed to make everyone agree that people experiencing homelessness have the right to access health care, housing and justice. I think we can all accept that香蕉视频直播擨 think that香蕉视频直播檚 what we香蕉视频直播檙e all trying to do,香蕉视频直播� Basran said.

Letnick said he supports the rights of everyone, including people who experience homelessness.

He did not specify whether or not he supported the charter, but he said: 香蕉视频直播淚 will discuss its contents with my colleagues in Victoria when we return this fall.香蕉视频直播�

Sherry Landry, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society outreach co-ordinator, said she would like to see something similar adopted or recognized provincewide.

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While the City of Calgary was addressing its own homelessness issue, an institution, similar to Central Okanagan Journey Home Society (COJHS), ratified the document.

The charter is a document brought to life by the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF), the CHF Client Action Committee (CAC) and the Alberta Human Rights Commission.

The City of Calgary has not adopted the charter, CAC member Nigel Kirk said, but the committee is currently working to make that happen.

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The document has, however, influenced many of the policies and initiatives taken by the CHF, which has香蕉视频直播攄irectly or indirectly香蕉视频直播攕hown an increase in quality of life for people who experience homelessness in Calgary, Kirk stated.

For example, the James Short park, on top of a parkade in downtown Calgary, is known as a tolerant zone for people who experience homelessness.

This has been a milestone for people who experience homelessness, Kirk said.

香蕉视频直播淭here have been more movements to add some more public spaces香蕉视频直播攁llowing homeless people to hangout there during the day without being harassed by police officers,香蕉视频直播� Kirk said, noting that Calgary is not perfect and that they still have quite a ways to go.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 happening less and less frequently.香蕉视频直播�

Reciprocation started with the media and spiralled from there.

Once the public saw how people who experience homelessness were being treated, initiatives such as the homeless charter took off, with shelters and storefronts posting outside their buildings, Kirk said.

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香蕉视频直播淎 lot of it has just been public awareness,香蕉视频直播� Kirk said. 香蕉视频直播淎 lot of police officers are under a lot more scrutiny so they had to step back a little bit when it comes to harassing members of the homeless community.香蕉视频直播�

The downfall, Kirk said, is there香蕉视频直播檚 no way to enforce the charter香蕉视频直播攊t is a document not enforced by legislation but rather by the goodwill and empathy of others.

John Graham, UBC Okanagan香蕉视频直播檚 school of social work director and COJHS member, said there must be social cohesion throughout Kelowna to solve this widespread and varying issues associated with homelessness.

香蕉视频直播淲e need to ensure that public dialogue remains open and full so that the perspectives of all parties (are heard),香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e got some real potential to do some real good here.香蕉视频直播�

Basran expressed similar virtues in finding a community solution.

香蕉视频直播淲e know that in order to truly address homelessness, the support of the community as a whole will be needed to be fully effective,香蕉视频直播� Basran said.

香蕉视频直播淓veryone can play a role. As our lived and living experience people have told us, stigma and discrimination are some of the greatest barriers they face in our community every day.

香蕉视频直播淪imply saying hello can make the greatest difference for those struggling to find their place in our community.香蕉视频直播�