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Pathway to Functional Zero
October 2024
This newsletter provides updates to the public about activities and progress made toward addressing homelessness in Niagara.
In this issue
World Homeless Day 2024
We're making progress
- Chronically Homeless Finding Housing
- Niagara Emerging as Leader in Sector
We're working together
- Niagara Leaders attend Built For Zero Learning Session
- Niagara Counts 2024
- Homeless Encampments in Ontario
- Update on Development of our Regional Substance Use Strategy
We're helping people
- Transitional Housing Building on Crescent Road in Fort Erie
We're housing people
- New Homelessness Services Contracts began April 1, 2024
Local News
Upcoming Conferences
Articles/Reports/Research
Dial 211 for Local Resources and Assistance - Video
World Homeless Day 2024
On October 10th, 2024, we commemorate World Homeless Day, a global movement dedicated to raising awareness about homelessness and recognizing the tireless efforts of those working to support individuals and families without stable housing. In Niagara, this day offers an opportunity to highlight the challenges faced by 1,200 individuals experiencing homelessness and to honor the incredible work of our community partners, frontline staff and lived experience advisors. Through initiatives such as emergency and supportive housing, prevention programs and street outreach, we are making strides to ending homelessness in our region.
We're Making Progress
Chronically Homeless Finding Housing
The number of people experiencing chronic homelessness in Niagara, as monitored by By-Name Data, had been growing throughout the winter months. However, during February and March, those numbers began to decline, with a decrease of 16 chronically homeless individuals and 26 overall. Despite ongoing challenges in the rental market, there were significant successes in move-ins during February and March, with a cumulative total of 89 individuals transitioning from homelessness to housing.
In the following spring and summer months, the number of people experiencing chronic homelessness gradually increased in April, May, June, and July by 7 individuals. This rise can be attributed to favorable weather conditions, which allowed some individuals to leave shelters and reside in parks. However, there was also a significant increase in successful move-ins, with 122 people moving from homelessness to housing during this period.
Homelessness Services continues to prioritize support for the veteran population, with 10 individuals currently identified as veterans experiencing homelessness. Niagara Region and its partners serving veterans are actively seeking additional resources to better support those who have served in exiting homelessness. Since January 1, 2024, four veterans have transitioned from homelessness into permanent housing. During the spring and summer months, this number increased, with six veterans moving into permanent housing.
Niagara Emerging as Leader in Sector
In March, Niagara Region hosted a delegation of Engagement and Program Officers from Infrastructure Canada. The delegation toured some of the homelessness service providers in the region and were particularly impressed with the progress Niagara has made in collecting and analyzing homelessness data and the way this data is used to inform decisions.
It was truly enlightening to see the incredible work that the city and your partners are doing to help end homelessness in the Niagara region. The site visits were particularly eye-opening, allowing us to see firsthand the range of services being provided to individuals of varying acuity levels. It was inspiring to witness the dedication and compassion of your team as they work tirelessly to support those in need. - Danielle Fournier, Infrastructure Canada
We're Working Together
Niagara Leaders attend Built For Zero Learning Session
At the end of March, Niagara Region Homelessness Services staff, along with representatives from The Hope Centre, Port Cares, Southridge, and the YWCA, attended a Built for Zero learning session in London, ON. This two-day conference provided the Niagara group with valuable opportunities to learn about emerging practices in the homelessness sector and offered dedicated time to strategize Niagara-specific initiatives aimed at reducing returns to homelessness for those who have been housed through the support of local agencies.
In addition to gaining new insights, Niagara was once again recognized for its expertise in the field. Acting Homelessness Services Manager, Jeff Sinclair, along with lived expert Marni Katzman, presented on the success of Niagara’s Lived Expert Advisory Committee, sharing the impact of integrating lived experiences into the region's approach to homelessness services.
Niagara Counts
We are pleased to announce that Niagara Counts 2024 will take place on October 22nd, 2024. This initiative is a strategic effort to assess the extent of homelessness in the Niagara region, involving a "Point-in-Time" (PiT) Count of individuals experiencing homelessness every two years. Previous counts were conducted in 2021, 2018, and 2016.
Primary Objectives of Niagara Counts:
Assess Homelessness: Identify the number of people experiencing homelessness in Niagara at a specific point in time, including those in emergency and domestic violence shelters, on the streets, in transitional housing, or staying with others.
Data Collection and Analysis: Gather and analyze critical information about Niagara’s homeless population to enhance the effectiveness of programs and services aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness.
Niagara Counts relies on the support of community agencies and trained volunteers to conduct the count and survey. This collaborative effort involves Niagara Region and various social service providers throughout the region.
We are still welcoming more volunteers to support us in the PiT Count. If you are interested, please send an email to Prabhjot.Kaur@niagararegion.ca. Your involvement is crucial to the success of this important initiative!
Homeless Encampments in Ontario
Homeless encampments in Ontario have become a growing concern, with an estimated 1,400 encampments reported across the province last year, according to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Various municipalities continue to grapple with limited resources, tools, and expertise to address the rising number of encampments. Alongside these challenges, municipalities are also mandated to ensure the safety of their communities, a responsibility that increasingly feels beyond their control. As a result, many municipalities are now urging the provincial government to increase funding for housing and healthcare support to effectively manage this pressing issue.
Update on the development of our Regional Substance Use Strategy
With the increasing unpredictability and toxicity of the unregulated drug supply, coupled with a shift in accessibility and availability of alcohol and cannabis products, a greater need for a coordinated approach to broad substance use in our region has become imperative. In response to this, and in collaboration with community partners, Niagara Region has begun work to draft the Niagara Region Multi-Year Substance Use Strategy. The creation of this strategy aligns with current Public Health initiatives, will build on the past great work of the Overdose Prevention and Education Network of Niagara (OPENN), and falls under the Mental Health and Addiction focus in us Community Safety and Well-Being plan.
Although only in the planning phase, the strategy will involve multiple agencies across different sectors, levels of government, and the community, including persons with lived and living experience and Indigenous partners. It will also align with various other pre-existing evidence-based strategies to ensure the work is inclusive, realistic, and person-centered. The next phase of the strategy development will involve community engagement. The Community Safety and Well-Being Team looks forward to keeping you apprised of the progress.
We're Helping People
Transitional Housing Building on Crescent Road in Fort Erie
The supported transitional housing will facilitate the movement to permanent housing of individuals experiencing homelessness and fleeing violence who are willing and able to work towards self- sufficiency by providing accommodation and other support services. It will be delivered in accordance with the philosophy of Housing First, and through a client-centred approach in alignment with local, provincial, and federal objectives.
Spaces in the supported transitional housing will be obtained through Coordinated Access and associated policies as they are developed, tested, and implemented by Niagara Region. Coordinated Access is a standardized process for intake, assessment, program eligibility, referral, and prioritization to housing and support across the region. In addition, the building offers 25 units that include bachelor, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and 3-bedroom apartments some of which are accessible. Office and programming space will be available to the selected partner agency to facilitate on-site staffing and support 24 hours per day 7 days a week. A request for proposal (RFP) has closed and we are in the selection phase for the agencies that will be running this program.
We're Housing People
New Homelessness Services Contracts began April 1, 2024
Following the standard Request for Proposal process, new homelessness services contracts began as of April 1st, 2024. Many long-serving agencies continued to be funded for the excellent work they are doing in the sector and some new organizations, including Good Shepherd Homes Inc., joined the system of local Region-funded homeless services providers. The new contract period will incorporate improved contract management, with quarterly reviews with service partners to look at key performance indicators, training and capacity building, responses to service user feedback, and privacy audits. Enhanced performance management enables the delivery of high quality and professional support to people experiencing homelessness.
Upcoming Conferences
The National Conference on Ending Homelessness will be held from October 29-31, 2024, in Ottawa, Ontario. Register Now
International Conference on Prevention of Youth Conference will be held from February 24-26, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario. Register Now
Articles/Reports/Research
This study found out why it’s difficult to find housing after being released from prison. The findings highlighted that people received discharge planning only 2-3 days prior to the end of their sentences; an insufficient timeframe for them to receive the help needed to find housing. Read more
The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights has released a new research report exploring the relationship between gender-based violence (GBV) and housing insecurity in Ontario, and how the province’s ongoing affordability crisis is impacting survivors’ pathways to access safe and secure homes. Read full report
