Homelessness in Canada

Quick Stats 35, 000 Canadians are homeless 235,000 Canadians have experiences homelessness in the run of a year 28-34% of the shelter population is Indigenous (Only 4% of Canadians are Indigenous) 2.2% of the shelter population are veterans

Key Terms

Key TErms Housing Partnering Strategy A community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding to 61 designated communities and to organizations that address Aboriginal homelessness across Canada. (Government of Canada) Key TErms

Key TErms Housing First The Concept: Once people get a house, they can focus on stabilizing their lives (get a job, work on their health, etc.) Provides housing to people regardless of addictions, mental illness, or past difficulties with other housing options Supplying support services through a relationship-building approach Key TErms

Key Terms At Home/Chez Soi Report Canadaian study conducted across 5 cities over 4 years Looked at homelessness andits relation to mental health - Proved the benefits of Housing First

Key Terms Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness Group of people who researched how the city of Fredericton could increase affordable housing and end chronic homelessness In 2015, their final report, The Road Home, was released It included 18 recommendations to help reach the goals Experts commissioned by the government to help implement the recommendations put forward by The Road Home

Key Terms Chronic Homelessness Currently homeless Have been homeless for six months or more in the past year Episodically Homeless Have experienced three or more episodes of homelessness in past year (1 period of homelessness = 30 days without a home)

Source: Government of Canada

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MAYOR’S TASK FORCE’S Recommendations REDUCE PARKING REQUIREMENTS ON PROPOSED HOUSING FIRST PROJECTS DONATION OR LEASING OF SURPLUS CITY- OWNED REMNANT PROPERTIES AMEND ZONING BYLAW TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOUSING FIRST BUILDS STRATEGIC PARTNER CAPITAL GRANTS FOR HOUSING FIRST CREATION RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE BROAD COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOUSING FIRST

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MAYOR’S TASK FORCE’S Recommendations EXPLORE THE VIABILITY OF CREATING AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING LAND TRUST UNDER OUR MUNICIPAL STRUCTURE PROVIDE SUBSIDIZED BUS PASSES FOR ACTIVE HOUSING FIRST PARTICIPANTS IMPROVE QUALITY OF AND ACCESS TO, ROOMING HOUSES CONDUCT AND IMPLEMENT PROCESS IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES FOR AFFORDANLE HOUSING BUILDS TEMPORARILY DESIGNATE A CITY EMPLOYEE TO FUNCTION AS A HOUSING FIRST DEVELOPMENT LIAISON