Belleville Community Consultation

January 18, 2011

Community Plan 2011-2014Homelessness Partnering Strategy

Purpose of our Meeting Today

2. Rationale

3. Objectives

1. Priorities

•Identify the most important issues related to homeless in the Belleville community• Explain how our community contribution will support our efforts to address these issues

Homelessness in the Belleville Community

• What are the most important or pressing issues? – Priorities:

• Consider the facilities, services and supports which the homeless and at-risk populations in our community need or will need in the next three years.

• Also consider any improvements needed in community coordination, partnership development and data management by our community.

– Rationale:• We conducted a brief survey regarding the at-risk and homeless

populations in Belleville. – Objectives:

• How will the funds we receive from our funders (our community contribution) add to our homelessness strategy?

The Affordable Housing Action Network

www.hastingshousing.com/ahan

Who Are We?

• A network of over 100 individuals

• Representing over 40 agencies

• Concerned with addressing the issues of affordable housing and homelessness in and surrounding Hastings County

Where Did We Come From?

• National Housing Day November 2002, a “Housing Working Group” was formed

• Made up of local social service providers

• Proposed the concept of a network taking action in response to the affordable housing and homelessness crises in Hastings County

AHAN Vision

AHAN believes that everyone has a rightto safe, secure and affordable housing

What Do We Believe?

• Homelessness, precarious housing andthe lack of affordablehousing, requires acommunity response

• Everyone needs to takeaction and be part of the solution

Our Mission We will strive to create more affordable housing options for

people who are precariously housed or homeless using a variety of approaches including:

• collaborative networking

• housing development

• capacity building

• and advocacy

AHAN Task Forces

AHAN is comprised of two working task forces:

•Information Sharing and Networking Task Force

•Advocacy Task Force

Questions

http://www.hastingshousing.com/ahan/

Belleville Community Consultation

January 18, 2011 Homelessness Partnering Strategy

Belleville Community Plan Update

History

• In 2001, funding through the Supporting Community Partnerships Initiative (SCPI) was received in order to complete a Community Plan for Belleville.

• The plan addressed gaps in services for the homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless in the City of Belleville.

• Creation of the “Warm Room” through Salvation Army and the creation of “Our House” and “Our House Too” and “Casa Trez” through Canadian Mental Health Association.

History

• December of 2006, The Minister of Human Resources and Social Development announced $270 million over two years for the new Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS).

• HPS replaced SCPI. • Strategy focuses on a ‘housing first’ approach. • New plan for Belleville was developed identifying

priorities in 2007.

History

• Total of $237,108 was received in 2007-2009 and an RFP was established to flow these funds.

• Successful applicant was “All Together Affordable Housing” for the development of Supportive Housing.

• The Homelessness Partnering Strategy just recently announced a renewal of program funding in the amount of $237,108.

History

• Hastings County acts as the “entity” to flow through these funds to the community

• A Community Advisory Board (CAB) is established each time a Request for Proposals is released

• Community Advisory Board makes recommendation to the Hastings/Quinte Joint Social Services Committee

• Funds must be spent by March 31, 2014

Review: Belleville Community Plan Priorities 2007

• to provide seed funding and financial support to non profit and community organizations working collaboratively to create supportive housing.

• to help families, seniors, and individuals, once they have entered the shelter system to find supportive housing solutions by moving into adequate housing that is appropriate to their needs and to maintain that housing with the necessary supports available to them.

• to strengthen the capacity of the Affordable Housing Action Network, AHAN to carry out activities to reduce homelessness by diversifying and broadening the membership and leadership of AHAN.

Advocacy in Belleville:

-Children’s Aid Society

-Community Health Centre

-Canadian Mental Health Association

-Women in Precarious Housing (York University)

-United Way – Kingston, Ontario

-Marginalized Women in Belleville

Affordable Housing Action Network

Homelessness Partnering StrategySurvey for Client Focus Groups

Homelessness Partnering Strategy

What is your current situation?

• From those surveyed both men and women between the ages of 18 to 60 responded that most had considered themselves at one time homeless and needing emergency shelter or transitional housing in Belleville.

• Those surveyed under 25 had experienced “couch surfing” as a way of life until affordable permanent housing became available.

Homelessness Partnering Strategy

What is your current situation?

• Finding suitable affordable housing was more of a concern to those surveyed than the risk of becoming evicted due to Hydro cut off and/or eviction notice from landlord.

• Many experienced discrimination from landlords due to being either on OW or ODSP was a concern.

• Precarious housing and being able to feel safe was an issue with women and the young adults.

• There is not enough or no transitional homes available.

Homelessness Partnering Strategy

While you are/were homeless?• From the survey, most clients received help through the

Belleville food banks. The food banks are the front line help for information and assistance to the clients’ current need.

• Most expressed the need to have a one stop help centre where they feel their issues would be addressed depending on their individual need.

• Why? Having to go to the different agencies to get help sometimes leaves the Clients falling through the cracks.

Homelessness Partnering Strategy

While you are/were homeless?• Clients expressed frustration in not getting their

immediate housing needs met due to lack of suitable affordable housing or transitional homes and not necessarily on the Service Agencies.

• Why? What is most important to the clients surveyed is a lack of personal assistance and follow-up care to help them through their difficult circumstance (assuring them self dignity).

• The surveyed clients indicated that leaving them to their own demise shows insensitivity to their predicament.

Homelessness Partnering Strategy

While you are/were homeless?• Clients surveyed would like to see the following

services available:– Assistance in calling landlords and viewing available

affordable housing opportunities.– Clients want to work with one Agency so they are not

sent away without help. – Agency should follow-up on progress stability.– Clients expressed the need to report to and be

accountable to one worker for their ongoing needs and to assist them to the next step for independent living.

Homelessness Partnering Strategy

Finding Housing?

• Clients were confused and felt inadequate in finding Affordable Housing when left to make the calls themselves. Some do not have phone numbers for call-backs or the confidence to communicate effectively.

• Not having the finances for viewing what is available and securing the residence deters the Clients from opportunities missed.

• Clients are looking for long term housing needs to be met.

Homelessness Partnering Strategy

Keeping Housing?• What problems do people have finding housing?

Survey indicated the following;– Not knowing where to find resources.– Affordable and safe to live in housing.– Assistance with the process of finding affordable and safe

to live in housing.– Financial assistance.– Resource availability for assistance in helping them get to

the next step for independence.– Wanting to work with one Agency so they feel that they

will not fall through the cracks.

Affordable Housing Action Network

Homelessness Partnering Strategy

Survey based on Agency or Group

1. How have the homeless and at-risk populations in

Belleville changed since 2007?

General Trends from Survey: - Slight decrease in number of homeless living on the street in Belleville. - Increase in number of homeless provided with emergency shelter and/or transitional housing in Belleville.- Significant increase in number of individuals facing imminent risk of eviction or living in unaffordable or unacceptable housing (couch surfing).

2. How have the homeless and at-risk populations in Belleville

changed since 2007?

Since 2007 these surveys indicated a 10% increase in homeless and at-risk populations. The trends are as follows:

A) General– Increased visibility especially in the downtown area.

Individuals aged 55 -70 who are either too young or ineligible for long-term care, yet they cannot maintain housing without support are at high-risk.

– Greater risk of unstable housing for those with addiction issues and mental health disorders.

2. How have the homeless and at-risk populations in Belleville

changed since 2007?

B) Youth – Vulnerable to unreasonable landlord demands

(evictions, discrimination).– Couch surfing is a reality.– Individuals aged 16 -18 who do not meet housing

program mandate are falling through the cracks. – Students are living in overcrowded conditions.

2. How have the homeless and at-risk populations in Belleville

changed since 2007?

C) Other Risks– Affordability of food.– Preparing food at their place of residence. – Increase in cost of utilities and cost of living.

• For some the only alternative is paying the utility bill and not paying rent which leads to potential eviction for rent arrears.

3. How have changes in the needs of the homeless and at-risk populations

since April 2007, affected the type of support services needed in

Belleville?• Survey response indicates:

– Not enough staff and resources to handle the increase.– Need for an emergency shelter and more transitional housing.– Shelter facilities open only overnight are not enough.– People need a one-stop-shop for shelter and support services to

assist people to stay appropriately housed in their own communities.

– The need for consistent support that moves clients from emergency housing to transitional housing to secure safe and affordable housing ensures sustained tenancy that removes the revolving door factor of being re-housed.

– Increase in students requiring assistance to find housing as well as the need for counselling and supportive care.

4. How have changes in the needs of the homeless and at-risk population since

April 2007, affected the need in Belleville for emergency shelter,

transitional or supportive housing?

• Survey response indicates:– ALL responses indicate a greater need for more

emergency shelters, transitional or supportive housing.

– Also, greater need for an integrated supportive housing model that allows for on-site support that is capable of responding to the accurate needs of those dealing with addiction and mental health issues.

5. Identify and describe the most important or pressing issues related to homelessness and at-risk population in

Belleville?• Survey response indicates:

– Need more affordable housing for permanent stays.– Need housing-first philosophy and action plan for long-

term care.– Issues regarding property standards need to be addressed

with stricter penalties for non-compliance. – Incentives for private sector developers to build

affordable housing in the City of Belleville, including inclusionary zoning for housing development and the waiving of development fees.

– Insufficient shelter allowances through OW and ODSP to cover real shelter costs.

Homelessness Partnering Strategy

2. Rationale

3. Objectives

1. Priorities

Gap – Illustration from 2007

• Issue: There is insufficient supportive housing stock.• Rational:The average length of stay at transitional housing

has increased, thus bottle-necking this system. – There is recognition of special supports for those with mental health

needs as described by emergency and transitional housing workers.– As identified by shelter and transitional housing workers, single non

seniors and single parent families are in need of stable housing with supports .

• Objectives: To support community agencies willing to build, renovate and/or purchase supportive housing stock

• Measurable Outcome: number of supportive beds created. i.e. 4 beds created in 2007

Gap – Illustration from 2010

• Issue: Lack of affordable housing options for at risk youth between 18 and 25.

• Rational: There has been a significant increase in the number of individuals living in unaffordable or unacceptable housing (couch surfing).

• Objective: To examine options for affordable housing for youth. – To determine priority need and best option for Belleville,

including youth in the process.– Through community partnerships develop a community

proposal to meet need and secure funding.• Outcomes: Options of affordable youth housing identified and

shared with the community, priority agreed upon and partnership proposal developed and funded.

Homelessness Partnering Strategy - Community Input

2. Rationale

3. Objectives

1. Priorities