OTTAWA - A new study suggests it's far cheaper to give a homeless person a place to live than to provide a patchwork of emergency services.

The study by Stephen Gaetz, director of the Canadian Homelessness Research Network, pulls together bits and pieces of research from across Canada and the United States.

He finds that in Canada, the status quo in dealing with homeless people is expensive.

He says governments are spending at least $4.5 billion a year dealing with homeless people, including the cost of emergency health care, mental health services, law enforcement, shelters and food banks.

That's because their use of the health system is high and unpredictable, because they often have run-ins with the justice system, and because upon release from jail, they often end up homeless again.

Recent research shows that providing chronically homeless people with supports and housing can save taxpayers 54 cents on the dollar compared to the current approach.

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  • Juan Lopez, a resident at Verde Gardens, helps prepare the land to be planted with seasonal vegetables.

  • Juan Lopez, a resident at Verde Gardens, helps prepare the land to be planted with seasonal vegetables.

  • Norman Van Aken, the head chef at Tuyo, visits the farm.

  • Angie, a rescued horse who does her share at the farm with grazing and fertilizing.

  • An herb garden, using a spiraling structure for optimum rainwater usage.

  • At the farm's nursery.

  • Plants at the farm's nursery.

  • Three men prepare the land for seasonal vegetables to be planted.

  • A loofah vegetable, which is harvested and turned into the shower sponges.

  • Alma Santos, who works at the farmer's market, spends some time with Angie, a horse that was rescued.

  • A rooster wanders on the farm. The eggs the chickens lay are sold at the farmer's markt every week.

  • In between seasons, workers on the farm at Verde Gardens are working to prepare the land for the next crop.

  • One of the 145 town homes at Verde Gardens.

  • Alma Santos decorated the wall of her living room with photos of her and her son.

  • Alma Santos never thought she would have a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home after living in shelters and an efficiency with her son.

  • Alma Santos proudly stands at the door of her home at Verde Gardens.

  • Inside, Alma Santos leaves a positive note for her 12-year-old son, Jaime, to read on his way out the door for school in the morning.

  • Courtney Hill, a resident at Verde Gardens, is a volunteer coordinator at Verde Gardens. She used her love for children to create a summer camp program run entirely by volunteers, as well as other activities for children who live in the shelter and at the housing units.

  • The farmer's market is open Fridays from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 12690 SW 280 St. in Homestead.

  • Jarred babaganoush at the farmer's market.

  • Jarred jams at the farmer's market.

  • Dried fruit and vegetables at the farmer's market.

  • Squashes collected from the farm for the market

  • Former President Bill Clinton works on a mural during his 2010 visit, during the Clinton Global Initiative's Day of Service program. Clinton was joined by former Miami Heat basketball player to tour the community.

  • The completed mural, one of many hanging throughout the offices at Verde Gardens.

  • Former President Bill Clinton's painted signature on the mural.

  • Alma Santos with her son, Jaime, at dinner at Tuyo in Miami. The residents were invited to a dinner made with fresh produce from the farm.

  • Alma Santos with her son, Jaime, at dinner at Tuyo in Miami. The residents were invited to a dinner made with fresh produce from the farm.