Homelessness Partnering Strategy

Goals & Objectives

HPS is aimed at the prevention and reduction of homelessness and encourages partnerships that contribute to a more sustainable and comprehensive continuum of supports designed to help the homeless move to self-sufficiency and to prevent those at risk from becoming homeless.

Programme Summary

The HPS is designed to combat homelessness in designated communities across Canada with a housing first approach. These efforts are intended to facilitate the development of an integrated, culturally appropriate framework that is community driven to address the needs of the Aboriginal homeless and at risk population. To accomplish this task each community established a Community Advisory Board (CAB) consisting of community members and other service providers with a stake in homelessness issues. The CAB was the driving force in the development of a comprehensive Community Plan which identified gaps in services and established priorities for their area. The CAB's continue to be involved with the projects by providing guidance, sharing information and ensuring priorities are being addressed.

Eligible activities under the HPS programme include: facilities (pre-development, purchase, construction, renovation); prevention services (for individuals and families at risk of homelessness); support services (for homeless individuals and families); and improvement of community services and service delivery networks.

Focus on Success

Statistics from 2008/2009

Service Provided or Outcome Generated	# of clients assisted in 8 Communities	# of clients assisted in Ottawa	Total Assisted
Prevention Services (to those at risk of becoming homeless)	1,743	105	1,848
Support Services (for those at risk and those who are homeless)	9,476	8,151	17,627
Number of Shelter beds created	147	467	614
Transition to Housing Stability	232	278	510
Maintained housing with help of prevention services	1,112	30	1,242
Prevention Services (to those at risk of becoming homeless)	1,171	674	1,845
Positive Change in Employment Status	30	55	85
Prevention Services (to those at risk of becoming homeless)	38	68	106

Development

In September 2008, the federal government announced a five-year $1.9 billion funding commitment for housing and homelessness through to 2014. In February 2009, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada officially rolled out a two year extension for the HPS to March 31, 2011. The extension brought no new money; budgets remain status quo for the next two years. The designated communities also remain the same. The OFIFC will continue to administer two agreements; $1,777,880 for 8-Communities and $1,212,626 for Ottawa.

The federal government is in the process of engaging provinces, territories and stakeholders on how best to use and allocate federal funding for homelessness beyond 2011. An Aboriginal specific consultation took place September 16th, 2009 in Toronto with participation from current and previous OFIFC HPS host sites. The OFIFC took this opportunity to advocate for the expansion of services, additional resources and programme flexibility that will allow communities to address their unique needs. To augment the OFIFC's position a research paper is being developed to showcase successes and to bring attention to the work that still needs to be done in our communities. Each site will be contacted to participate in a questionnaire to ensure each community has a voice in this process.