Homelessness Partnering Strategy: 2011-2014 Rural and Remote Homelessness

1. Homelessness Partnering Strategy:2011-2014Rural and Remote Homelessness

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. HPS Overview/Policy and Program Enhancements 2. Funding Streams 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote Homelessness funding stream 4. NL Regional Advisory Board

3. 1. HPS Overview/Policy and Program Enhancements • The HPS has been renewed for an additional 3 years (2011-2014) and includes policy and program enhancements that are based on feedback provided during the 2009 consultations with stakeholders, Aboriginal organizations, and Provinces/Territories. • The Homelessness Partnering Strategy aims to prevent and reduce homelessness across Canada. It does so by developing partnerships that contribute to a sustainable and comprehensive continuum of supports to help those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness move towards self-sufficiency. It mobilizes partners at the federal-provincial/territorial and community levels to address barriers to well-being faced by homeless individuals and those at risk.

4. 1. HPS Overview/Policy and Program Enhancements Policy/Program Enhancements (2011-2014) • greater support for rural and remote communities; • ensuring culturally relevant programming and services for Aboriginal people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; • Strengthened provincial/territorial engagement • Increased emphasis on labour market integration and mental health linkages • increasing the relevance and dissemination of research; • reinforcing accountability for results; • improving data sharing and collection

5. 2. Funding Streams

6. 2. Funding Streams Rural and Remote Homelessness • This stream funds projects in rural and remote areas of the country outside designated communities.This stream has adopted a two‑tiered approach that is based on population.Priority will be given to projects with activities located in communities with a population of 25,000 or less. Project proposals with activities in communities with a population over 25,000 will be considered depending on availability of funds. Projects that address prevention and reduction of homelessness are eligible for funding. • This funding stream does not require a community plan or cost-matching however, partnerships are strongly encouraged.  Applicants must demonstrate: how their projects meet the overall objectives of the HPS; a need for a particular client group or service to address homeless population issues; community support; and, where possible, the inclusion of other partners in the project.

7. 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream Proposed Delivery of R&R • Call for Proposals (CFP) ran from July 23, 2012 to Sept 28, 2012 to solicit applications specific to the Terms and Conditions of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) to meet the needs of homeless and at-risk people living in rural and remote areas in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. • The total amount of funding available is approximately $1.1 million under the HPS Rural and Remote Homelessness funding stream, to fund projects up to March 31, 2014. • Under this funding stream, priority will be given to projects with activities located in communities with a population of 25,000 or less. Project proposals with activities in communities with a population over 25,000 will be considered depending on availability of funds. The total number of projects funded, and the amount of funding per project will be determined based on the number and quality of proposals received.

8. 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream Eligible Applicants • Not-for-profit organizations; individuals; municipal governments; for-profit enterprises; research organizations and institutes; public health and educational institutions; Band/tribal councils; and other Aboriginal organizations are eligible to receive funding and act as coordinators for activities. • For-profit enterprises are eligible for funding provided that the nature and intent of the activity is non-commercial, does not generate profit, and fits within the community plan or identified local need where plans are not required. Individuals, for-profit enterprises and research organizations and institutes may also receive funding to carry out research that aims to help communities understand and address homelessness issues.

9. 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream Eligible Geographic Area • In order to be eligible for funding through the Rural and Remote funding stream, the project activities must take place in rural and remote areas in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Preference will be given to projects with activities located in communities with a population of 25,000 or less. Project proposals with activities in communities with a population over 25,000 will be considered depending on availability of funds.

10. 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream Eligible Projects • Projects must focus on activities that help ensure people who are homeless and/or at risk of becoming homeless are able to stabilize their living arrangements and circumstances and move beyond emergency needs. • The investment of funds for Rural and Remote Homelessness must achieve accountability targets. The Regional Advisory Board will ensure a blended investment portfolio for both capacity/research and infrastructure/capital investment. (Bricks and mortar) • Federal funds are targeted, but not limited to services that support employment readiness, transitional and supportive housing and related services to help homeless individuals gain and maintain stable living arrangements.

11. 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream Eligible Activities • Capital Investments (e.g., pre-development, purchase, construction, renovation and purchase of appliances and furniture) • emergency shelter facilities • transitional housing facilities • supportive housing facilities • non-residential facilities • Client Services (Activities may include): • assistance to address basic needs such as shelter and food services; • assistance with housing placement and housing retention e.g., services to transition people out of homelessness, or help those at imminent risk of homelessness to remain housed. • Community Coordination, Partnership Development and Data Management (Activities may include): • coordination of community consultation; Community Planning; needs assessment; and support to CABs and RABs; • local research and information collection and sharing (specific to the particular community); partnership and network development; and coordination/improvement of service provision; • emergency shelter usage data collection activities; data development; data coordination activities; and reporting on, for example, progress against community performance indicators.

12. Staff wages Professional fees Travel Capital Assets – over $1000 (example: furniture, appliances, and fixtures for the facilities used to carry out project activities) Facilities Administrative Costs Organizational Infrastructure Costs 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream Eligible Costs

13. 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream Eligible Costs cont’ Other Activity Related Project Costs, including: • Rented space to hold meetings, consultations, or to provide emergency shelter, including applicant owned premises • Furniture costing $1,000 or less, before taxes • Materials and supplies for the facility: food, laundry and cleaning supplies; • Printing costs, meter charge for photocopies, translation • Participant related costs while participating in training activity

14. 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream Ineligible Activities • activities and supports taking place on-reserve; • software development and/or the purchase of hardware for the collection and management of homelessness data that constitutes a redundant use of funds and duplicates activities already offered through the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) software; and • software development and/or the purchase of hardware for the collection and/or management of homelessness data that results in an inability to participate in the National Homelessness Information System initiative. • For example: • purchasing alternative software that performs similar functions to the HIFIS software • purchasing alternative software that is unable to export shelter data to the National Homelessness Information System initiative.

15. 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream Ineligible costs • costs associated with activities or supports that take place on-reserve; • costs associated with the direct purchase, rental, leasing or the operations of social or affordable housing that is not supportive or transitional in nature; • employability activities normally provided by other HRSDC programs (i.e., Youth Employment Initiatives, and Employment Benefits and Support Measures); • direct cash payments to people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness; • software development and/or the purchase of hardware for the collection and management of homelessness data that constitutes a redundant use of funds and duplicates activities already offered through the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) software; and • software development and/or the purchase of hardware for the collection and/or management of homelessness data that results in an inability to participate in the National Homelessness Information System. For example, costs for: • purchasing alternative software that performs similar functions to the HIFIS software • purchasing alternative software that is unable to export shelter data to the National Homelessness Information System initiative.

16. 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream Assessment of Proposals To be considered for funding under the HPS, proposals must meet all of the following basic eligibility requirements: • The proposal must support the objectives of the HPS; • All proposed activities must be eligible for funding under the HPS; • Funding activities must be completed on or before March 31, 2014; • The proposal must have community support and address the needs of the homeless population in a rural or remote community.

17. 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream • Services shall be made available in both official languages where there is significant demand. The proposal must also contain details on how the applicant intends to engage official language minority communities, where applicable, to ensure that the specific service delivery needs of that community are met. • Projects must be completed on or before March 31, 2014. For client service projects, a sustainability plan or exit strategy will be required. For capital projects, a sustainability plan demonstrating how the benefits of the project will be sustainable after HPS funding ends is required. An exit strategy is not acceptable for Capital Projects.

18. 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream Proposal Analysis - Evaluation Criteria • Capacity of the applicant • Meets community needs/priorities • Partnerships and community support • Measurable and achievable outcomes • Value for money • Appropriate location • Capital projects (CMHC checklist) • Process to measure success • Cultural appropriateness • Sustainability of the benefits of the project • Supports a blended mix of capacity and infrastructure projects

19. 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream NL - Current CFP Applications Being Assessed 8 Applications received Based on applications received there may be further Call For Proposals.

20. 3. Delivery of Rural and Remote funding stream Examples of Past Projects • Renovating a 15 room shelter for women living in abusive relationships, for women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and for women with complex needs. • Purchasing a van for an emergency shelter to enable the staff the opportunity to offer supports and outreach services. • Purchase a building and complete necessary renovations in order to operate supportive housing and outreach programs. • Coordinate and deliver workshops to staff of women’s emergency shelters. • Purchase a building and complete renovations in order to provide supportive services and programs to street involved youth who are homeless, hidden homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. • Purchase equipment to provide hot meals every Sunday and special dinners, on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. • Purchase a parcel of land in order to construct 10 affordable, transitional, supportive 1-bedroom housing units for clients with complex mental health needs who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. • To provide a facilitator who will offer skills training, self-esteem building, time management skills, housekeeping essentials, and socialization opportunities to clients living with mental illness who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

21. 4. NL Regional Advisory Board List of current members (Updated Oct 2012) • Marilyn Avery – Seniors Resource Centre • Paula Bruce – Citizen Services and Program Delivery Branch, Service Canada • Annette Breen – Supportive Living Initiative, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing • Bob Dillon – Citizen Services and Program Delivery Branch, Service Canada • Joanne Duhart– Citizen Services and Program Delivery Branch, Service Canada • Ros Langer – Co-operative Housing Association Newfoundland and Labrador • Shaun MacLean – Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs • Edwina McCarthy – Career, Employment & Youth Services, Government of NL • Gary O’Brien – Labour Market Social Development Programs, Service Canada • Heather Pollett – Canadian Mental Health Association, NL Division • Elizabeth Siegel – Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador • Lisa Slaney – Community Representative, Burin Peninsula • Laura Wellman – Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation • Kim Yetman-Dawson – Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and Homelessness Network

22. Service Canada Information Contact Information Paula BruceA/Senior Development Officer223 Churchill Avenue, P. O. Box 8548 , St. John's, NL, A1B 3P3 Tel: 709-772-3433, Fax: 709-772-0354 E-mail: paula.bruce@servicecanada.gc.ca Joanne DuhartA/Senior Development Officer 1 Regent Square, P. O. Box 2004, Corner Brook, NL, A2H 6J6 Tel: 709-637-4277, Fax: 709-637-4409 E-mail: joanne.duhart@servicecanada.gc.ca Robert DillonService Delivery ManagerPark Place, 50 Manitoba Drive, Clarenville, NL, A5A 1K5 Tel: 709-466-8227, Fax: 709-466-8211/8210 E-mail: robert.dillon@servicecanada.gc.ca

23. Website Service Canada - Homelessness http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/homelessness/index.shtml