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Regional Homelessness Plan
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Homelessness Partnering Strategy - Federal Funding Allocations 

In January 2009, the Government of Canada renewed funding for the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011. Program funding for the Metro Vancouver area will be approximately $8 million a year.

As the community partner for the HPS in Metro Vancouver, the Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness (RSCH) is responsible for recommending projects to the Government of Canada for funding. Accordingly, in March 2009, the RSCH recommended that the contribution agreements of existing service projects that were funded under the program from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2009, be extended to ensure that there were no service disruptions to clients. The extensions to the contribution agreements are expected to absorb approximately $10 million of the available funds over the two-year term of the funding renewal. The remaining funds of approximately $5 million will be considered to fund large and small capital projects that are consistent with three of the region’s Community Plan priorities –– supportive housing facilities, mental health and addiction facilities, and emergency shelter facilities. Of the approximately $5 million available, up to $500,000 will be considered for small capital projects.

For further details on the funding allocation program and requirements for application see the following documents. We are unable to post the applications and financials documents. If you are eligible to apply for funding, please contact Judy Roberts at 604-451-6065 or judy.roberts@metrovancouver.org for the application documents.

2008 Metro Vancouver Homeless Count
The Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness (RSCH) was established in March 2000 to bring together a range of people and organizations operating and funding facilities, services or programs targeted to people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness in the region. The Committee arose from the recognition that homelessness is an issue in every Metropolitan Vancouver community. As a result, the Committee identified the need for a regional response to the growing problem of homelessness.

The RSCH now includes over 40 members representing service providers, community-based organizations, business and labour, and all levels of government. The Committee has grown to become the regional voice on homelessness in Metropolitan Vancouver. Metro Vancouver, in partnership with United Way of the Lower Mainland, provides administrative and policy support to the Committee.

 What's New

Homeless Action Week 2009
The fourth annual Homelessness Action Week (HAW) took place October 11 to October 16, 2009. This year’s focus was on the need for affordable housing and hundreds of organizers and volunteers held more than 60 events in communities throughout Metro Vancouver, BC and the Yukon. A new campaign this year was to “Speak Up for Affordable Housing”. This campaign linked local voices with individuals and organizations across the country calling for a National Affordable Housing Strategy.   The “Speak Up” campaign complements the September 2009 RSCH/Union of BC Municipalities joint resolution on affordable housing.  This resolution urges the Provincial government to show leadership on affordable housing by continuing to provide funding for affordable housing and to ensure that adequate housing and supports are in place to better meet the needs of those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

  stophomelessness.ca

Creating Housing Choice Forum - October 2008
Proceeding from the Creating Housing Choice Forum, held October 2008

  Proceedings from the Creating Housing Choice Forum, October 2008

Creating Housing Choices Dialogue - May 2008
The Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy and the RSCH jointly hosted a dialogue on the future role of the emergency shelter sector in the housing continuum. Participants began to create a made-in-BC approach to providing choice so people can access housing and services at the level they are ready for. They explored roles for shelters within that approach, preventing entrenchment in homelessness. Participants also discussed the strengths and challenges of various shelter and housing operating models.
The Creating Housing Choice forum served as an opportunity to strengthen relationships between shelter and housing providers, and increase understanding of their respective needs. Providers of shelter and transitional, supportive, and affordable housing, along with providers of support services that help people obtain and maintain housing (e.g. addictions, mental health, income assistance, job skills and life skills training) participated.
The was the first part of a three day forum, with the two days in May and the third day scheduled for October 23, 2008. This third day will build on the proceedings of the May event, with a goal to identify areas of consensus, priorities, and actions that can be taken by participating organizations. Ultimately the results of this work may be used by government, community, and multi-stakeholder organizations in development of policies, programs and strategies. There were clear messages of action not only for client services, but also for the support of the front line workers that are so passionate about the work they do to help those in need.

  Creating Housing Choice Forum, May 2008 – Executive Summary
  Creating Housing Choice Forum, May 2008 – Detailed Proceedings

2008 Metro Vancouver Homeless Count
The 2008 Metro Vancouver Homeless Count took place during a 24-hour period on the night of Monday March 10th and the daytime of Tuesday, March 11th 2008. The count was directed by the Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness through a consultant, Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC). Funding for this critical initiative is being provided by the Homelessness Partnership Initiative, the United Way of the Lower Mainland and the Vancouver Foundation.

The purpose of the 2008 Homeless Count is to produce an updated estimate of the street and sheltered homeless, a demographic profile of this population, and identify trends in relation to previous counts. This information is then used to aid in service planning and inform policy development. Initial results indicated a total of 2,592 individuals enumerated, representing a 19% increase from the 2005 count and a 137% increase from the 2002 count.  The final results now confirm a total of 2,660 homeless people; a 22% increase from 2005.
 
The final report data was released September 16th, 2008.

  Data from the count

2008 Fraser Valley Homeless Count
The Fraser Valley Homeless Count recorded an increase of 13% over the number of homeless individuals enumerated in 2004. The count was organized by representatives of Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Agassiz-Harrison Community Services; Hope and Area Transition Society;Staff of the Cities of Abbotsford and Chilliwack, and the District of Mission; Staff of the Fraser Valley Regional District; Mennonite Central Committee;Salvation Army and United Way of the Fraser Valley.

  Press Release April 28, 2008
  Selected Findings of Survey with limited analysis and interpretation

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Fast Facts

The 2008 Homeless Count found every municipality in Metro Vancouver saw a significant increase in the number of people living on the street since the 2005 count.