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Solving Homelessness in British Columbia’s Capital Region: The importance of Community Collaboration February 27, 2014

Solving Homelessness in British Columbia’s Capital Region: The importance of Community Collaboration February 27, 2014 Presentation by Andrew Wynn-Williams. What is the Coalition?.

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Solving Homelessness in British Columbia’s Capital Region: The importance of Community Collaboration February 27, 2014

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  1. Solving Homelessness in British Columbia’s Capital Region: The importance of Community Collaboration February 27, 2014 Presentation by Andrew Wynn-Williams

  2. What is the Coalition? • The Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness (Coalition), formed in 2008, is a community-based partnership of local service providers, non-profit organizations, all levels of government, business, and the faith and post-secondary communities. Including: BC Housing Capital Regional District City of Victoria Ministry of Social Development Our Place Society Pacifica Housing Salvation Army ARC United Way of Greater Victoria Vancouver Island Health Authority Victoria Cool Aid Society Victoria Foundation Victoria Native Friendship Centre The Coalition brings together the right partners for each housing and support project, by helping with resource allocation, plans and home creation.

  3. Coalition Vision • By 2018, all people facing homelessness in our community will have access to safe, affordable appropriate, permanent housing, with support if they require it. This will be provided in a coordinated, accessible and effective manner.

  4. Purpose of Coalition Community Plan (CCP) • Summary of common vision and strategies identified by community partners, members and collaborators to focus action from April 2012-2015 in CRD • Intended to be a framework for organizations that fund, deliver direct service and/or support agencies serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

  5. Context of Community Plan Funders Community Plan Community Partners Service Providers Federal HPS CommunityPlan Housing Procurement Plan Coalition Business Plan

  6. Priorities of the CCP Increase the supply of safe, decent, affordable, permanent housing, including supported housing Prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless and assist people who are at risk of homelessness Support people while they are experiencing homelessness Ensure a coordinated comprehensive community response to homelessness Build public and political support to end homelessness

  7. Coalition Areas of Activity • Stewards of the 10 year plan – identify objectives and targets • Encourage, catalyze, cajole, advocate for projects and initiatives to meet those objectives • Public awareness and education • Conduct the research needed to justify • Encourage Collaboration

  8. Coalition Business Plan Priorities • Housing. • Communications. • Research. • Prevention. • Aboriginal Homelessness. • Social and Economic Inclusion. • Sound management of coalition staff and resources

  9. Role for Other Organisations • What is your piece of the Community Plan? How can you align activities with Coalition priorities. • Strategic Communications – • Buy into the messaging – where possible • Participate in events • Use the themes developed

  10. Collaborative Initiatives • Streets 2 Homes • Homelessness Prevention Fund (HPF) • Research Projects • Centralised Access to Supportive Housing (CASH) • 713 Outreach Team (ICM)

  11. HPF • Established in January of 2011 by the Coalition and its partners, the HPF provides a one-time grant as bridge funding to those facing homelessness due to financial hardship. • Grants from the fund can be used for rent or utility related expenses and paid directly to the landlord or utility company (e.g. hydro) and recipients of the fund do not have to repay the grant (which can be up to a maximum of $500). • Funded entirely by private donations.

  12. Research Projects • Report on Housing and Supports • Facilities Count • Shelter Data Study

  13. Centralised Access to Supportive Housing • The Centralized Access to Supported Housing (CASH) program is a cross-organizational hub for collecting all applications and referrals to mental health and addictions supported housing in the Greater Victoria area. • As of May, 2013, there are 35 supported housing facilities or 897 units. • Facilitate access for clients. • Locate most appropriate units for clients.

  14. CASH - Referrers • Vancouver Island Health Authority • ACT teams • Case Managers (Victoria Mental Health Centre) • Hospital • Residential Services • Senior’s Outreach Team • Home and Community Care • Other VIHA services • Pacifica Housing • Downtown Outreach Services Office (DOS) • Supported housing sites

  15. CASH - Referrers • Victoria Cool Aid Society • Emergency Shelters • Access Health Centre • Supported housing sites • REES program • other programs • Our Place Society • Drop-in Centre • Housing • Salvation Army ARC • Emergency Shelter • Housing

  16. CASH Referrers Umbrella Society AIDS Vancouver Island Victoria Native Friendship Centre Other community agencies

  17. 713 Outreach Team • Intensive Case Management (not ACT) • Affiliated with two full service (harm reduction) health service hubs • Harm reduction/housing first model. • Collaborative Outreach between Aids Vancouver Island (AVI) and Island Health

  18. victoriahomelessness.ca /homeforhope @homeforhope homeforhope.ca Andrew Wynn-Williams awynn-williams@victoriahomelessness.ca @andrewrww

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