Administration agrees in principle with the recommendations contained within the Emergency Shelter Review. The 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Master Plan and the Emergency Shelter Review support Administration’s expertise and experience in the housing and homelessness sector.
Implementation of the Recommended Service Delivery Model
The consultant included some suggested next steps for key activities required to transition the shelter system to align with the recommended service delivery model outlined in this report.
Next Steps:
- Consult with current shelter service providers to determine a plan for changes to the emergency shelter system
In consultation with emergency shelter providers, develop standards for service, targets and performance measures, and updated service agreement content, based on those that have been proposed through the review.
Undertake a procurement process to establish a shelter system and funding levels that align with the recommendations in this report. This includes establishing a shelter system with a main access point, diversion services and housing-focused services across the shelter system as well as changes to the number of funded beds for each client group.
Transition shelter services to the new service model.
Administration has already begun working with shelter providers to implement some of the recommendations in the Shelter Review, including:
A Housing First approach and Coordinated Access System to help people find and keep housing through the By-Names Prioritized List (BNPL). Implemented
Some shelters have implemented diversion processes to ensure potential shelter users have explored all other housing options before entering the emergency shelter system
Implementation of the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS 4.0) to improve data collection and reporting, as well as more coordinated service delivery. The use of HIFIS and By-Names Prioritized List will be mandatory for organizations receiving funding from the Service Manager by March 2022 and its use by other community partners will be strongly encouraged in order to understand the community’s progress and challenges to ending homelessness.
Adherence to public health guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Implemented