A home for everyone is key 2016 State of Homelessness in Northumberland County Northumberland’s 20,000 Homes Campaign Results, November 2016

Northumberland Context … The 20,000 Homes Campaign is a national movement of communities working together to house 20,000 of Canada’s most vulnerable homeless people by July 1st, 2018. NC joined the 20K Homes Campaign as a participating community in September of 2016. Commitment to collect person specific data from individuals and families experiencing and at risk of homelessness and to prioritize housing 3 of the most vulnerable. Approximately 85 volunteers and professional staff surveyed people using the VI-SPDAT survey tool from November 14 to 18 at agencies, food banks, libraries and community meal programs across the County

Results Overview We surveyed 302 unique individuals and families 58 17 Total number of people surveyed Experiencing Homelessness At Risk of Homelessness Individuals Families Children (under 18 currently living with parent) 58 17 26 179 48 65

Acuity (Severity of Issues) Draw attention to purple on top row – high acuity among individuals and families experiencing homelessness

Acuity (Severity of Issues) Draw attention to purple on top row – high acuity among individuals and families experiencing homelessness

30 7 Summary of Key Results Among People Experiencing Homelessness months 7 months Time Spent Homeless Individuals Families Notable Populations Individuals Families

71% 59% 48% 23% 10% 54% 78% 47% 76% 44% 38% 11% Key Results Homeless At-Risk Physical Health 71% 54% 127 people 26 families 78% 59% 45 people 10 families Abuse or Trauma 47% 76% 27 people 13 families 44% 48% 78 people 23 families New to Northumberland 38% 23% 22 people 4 families 11% 10% 19 people 5 families

Emergency Service Use Total Cost: $291,758 Cost for Frequent Users (individuals who use each service three times or more in 6 months) = $190,963

Service System Use Cost of Homelessness (per month cost) $1,932 $701 Source: The Real Cost Homelessness, The Homeless Hub Paper #3, Stephen Gaetz $1,932 Shelter Bed $701 Rent Supplement $4,333 Provincial Jail $193 Social Housing $10,900 Hospital Bed

Social Sector Cost Savings – Saskatoon Study Saskatoon System Usage – Year One Housing First - Results Service Demand Prior to Housing First (24 Participants) Usage Post Housing First Emergency Room Visit 399 84 Ambulance Ride and Assessments 286 66 Acute Psychiatric Hospitalization (1 Day) 195 Medical Hospitalization (1 Day) 375 116 Contact with Police (Call out) 316 Police Detention for Intoxication (1 Day) 89 9 Incarceration (1 Day) 40 11 Emergency Shelter (Salvation Army 1-Day) 1788 270 Data collected and analyzed from the first year shows an 82% decrease in the inappropriate use of public system services that include emergency rooms visits, medical hospitalizations and contact with the City Police as shown in Table 1. Investment = per 24 people = 1:8 ratio ICM, 2-4 housing support workers, clinical team lead It also showed a Social Return on Investment of $2.23 saved for every $1 invested.

Accommodations and Supports Accommodations and Supports Next Steps We need to move from this … Emergency Response Prevention Accommodations and Supports … to this! **Coordination – centralized, coordinated low barrier access Prevention Accommodations and Supports Emergency Response

Next Steps Coordinated Response to homelessness – follow-up and response – *rural and urban* Build framework for allocation of resources and expectations for support of vulnerable individuals and families By Name List – priority based on vulnerability In-depth review of functions of homeless services – goal is capacity building for a transition to Housing First approach. **Coordination – centralized, coordinated low barrier access

Recommendations To inform the Northumberland County Poverty Reduction Strategy To inform systems reorganization To advocate for resources for housing loss prevention and homelessness response To develop population specific strategies to prevent and resolve homelessness How this data does not sit on a shelf – and continues to inform good work…. Should inform new investments – - Act as a catalyst to bring community partners and funders on board with a comprehensive approach – Service standards are important!

Recommendations Homelessness exists in Northumberland County. It is a complex issue that requires attention, further analysis, dedicated resources and systems-wide commitment to ensure solutions are possible. Ending long-term homelessness is not only about finding stable, permanent housing, but re-ordering our systems of care to best support individuals and families with adequate income, high quality health and social supports, engaging education and employment opportunities in order to prevent homelessness entirely.

Thank you! Thank you for your interest and ongoing support in ending homelessness in Northumberland County.