5 FEDERAL HOMELESSNESS FUNDING UPDATE: HOMELESSNESS PARTNERING STRATEGY

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1 5 FEDERAL HOMELESSNESS FUNDING UPDATE: HOMELESSNESS PARTNERING STRATEGY The Community and Health Services Committee recommends the adoption of the recommendations contained in the following report dated January 26, 2011, from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services. 1. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that: 1. The Regional Municipality of York continue in its role of Community Entity under the Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding program to receive and administer funds on behalf of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. 2. The Commissioner of Community and Health Services be authorized to conduct a Call for Proposals from community service agencies to solicit proposals for projects for the period April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2014 to be funded through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy for the full duration of the federal program, including extensions and new funding. 3. The Commissioner of Community and Health Services be authorized to execute purchase of service agreements under the Homelessness Partnering Strategy and enter into such legal agreements as may be necessary to access federal funding, subject to review by Legal Services. 4. The Commissioner of Community and Health Services be authorized to allocate any unspent Homelessness Partnering Strategy funds to projects which fall within the Homelessness Partnering Strategy federal guidelines and The York Region Community Plan to Address Homelessness. 2. PURPOSE This report requests authority to administer the funds that will be received under the renewed Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS). It also provides details about the federal government s plan for funding homelessness initiatives over the next three years, from April 1, 2011 to March 31, In total, York Region will receive almost $1.6 million in HPS funding.

2 3. BACKGROUND Federal Homelessness funding has been available to York Region since 2001 In late 1999 the federal government, through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), established the first fund to address homelessness. York Region was confirmed by HRSDC as the Community Entity thus confirming the Region as the service delivery agent on behalf of the federal government. Since that time, the federal government has had several different homelessness initiatives, the most recent of which is the Homelessness Partnering Strategy. The federal funding received is used to complement and build on other provincial and regional funding to ensure a network of supports. As per the agreement with the federal government, a community plan outlining needs and priorities was required. The York Region Community Plan to Address Homelessness was completed under the auspices of the Community Planning Group that now includes 15 community service providers from across the Region. An update of the Community Plan was completed in 2008 as a requirement for federal funding and was approved by Regional Council on March 27, 2008 through the adoption of Clause No. 8 of Report No. 2 of the Community Services and Housing Committee. Since 2006, the Region has received a total allocation of $2,121,496, under the Homelessness Partnering Strategy. The supports and services that are offered provide preventive and crisis supports to the most vulnerable residents of York Region. 4. ANALYSIS AND OPTIONS Renewed federal Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding On November 4, 2010, regional staff were invited to participate in a province-wide conference call with HRSDC officials during which the continuation of Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding for was announced. On November 23 and 24, 2010 Regional staff met with representatives of HRSDC, who provided details on the renewal of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding which included: Direction to the Community Entities to submit an application by December 10, 2010 to HRSDC for funding, including a budget and a three year work plan. Direction on how to prepare, and how to submit Community Plan information. Direction for the renewal of any current direct service delivery projects to ensure a seamless transition from the previous HPS funding (concluding March 31, 2011) to the new HPS funding (effective April 1, 2011).

3 Information regarding a new agreement between HRSDC and the Region as the Community Entity. The Regional Municipality of York to continue as the Community Entity Under HPS, the federal government requires each community to establish a Community Advisory Board that is the decision making body for the implementation of HPS. In York Region, the Community Advisory Board (CAB) is comprised of community funding agencies such as Trillium Foundation and the United Way of York Region. The strength of the York Region CAB is that it is an objective, arms length body which does not include agencies that might apply for HPS funding. On November 25, 2010, HRSDC was advised that the Community Advisory Board agreed that York Region should continue to act as the Community Entity and administer HPS funding from April 2011 to March On December 14, 2010 staff met with the Community Planning Group to update them on the federal government s intentions and to seek their input into the process. The Community Planning Group was also established at the request of the federal government to ensure that the community is involved in the community planning process. The Community Planning Group is comprised of 15 agencies that work directly with the homeless and at-risk population and participated in the creation of the Community Plan to Address Homelessness as well as subsequent updates. An update of the Community Plan will take place under the broader review of community funding programs In the past, an update of the Community Plan to Address Homelessness was required prior to the execution of a new funding agreement between the Region and HRSDC. However, under the renewed HPS strategy, an update is not required prior to April 1, 2011 and can be completed during the term of the contribution agreement. The Community Planning Group reviewed the existing Community Plan priorities and confirmed that these priorities were valid and should be resubmitted to HRSDC as a starting point for the renewed HPS funding. Staff recommended to the Community Planning Group, and they agreed, that the Community Plan update be completed as part of the larger review of existing community funding programs identified in the Multi-Year Plan. The review will be carried out in 2011 and will look at all of the existing community funding programs for low income residents. This review will be prepared in consultation with a wide range of community stakeholders and will include setting out the priorities for services to the Region s homeless and near homeless residents over the next several years. It will take into account the other community funding programs and provide the foundation upon which the priorities for homelessness funding in the Region are identified.

4 Next Steps The following actions will be taken over the next several months: Work will begin on the broader review of community funding programs and include an update to the Community Plan to Address Homelessness. The contribution agreement from HRSDC is expected in March 2011 and it is recommended that the Commissioner of Community and Health Services be authorized to enter into this legal agreement subject to review by Legal Services. Upon execution of the contribution agreement, a Call for Proposals based on existing priorities will be released in June A report to Council identifying the community service projects approved for funding will be presented in the fall. Service Impact for York Region Because HPS funding will not be immediately available when the current funding ends on March 31, 2011, the federal government has agreed to extend existing service delivery projects for a maximum of one year. This is the first time that the federal government has given such permission. Being able to extend service delivery projects while the renewed funding agreement is being finalized means that residents will continue to get supports without interruption and that agencies will not be forced to lay-off staff. It will be recommended to the Community Advisory Board to continue to fund the two service delivery projects currently underway for the period of April 1, 2011 to September 30, This will enable agencies to also submit applications under the Call for Proposals in June, and receive funding beyond September, The two service delivery projects that may be extended are the Community Legal Clinic s Eviction Prevention Program and the Women s Centre of York Region s Enterprising Careers program. The Eviction Prevention Program is a program that: Applies a harm mitigation strategy to protect the housing of individuals with serious mental health challenges. Such individuals are at the highest risk of eviction and suffer the most devastating consequences. Has assisted 392 residents. The Enterprising Careers program is an employment readiness program that: Removes barriers to employment and bridges women to existing employment programs. Assists women to become job ready through skills assessment, further education, goal setting and the development of a work action plan.

5 Offers a combination of in-class sessions, on-line training modules and one-on-one counselling. Has assisted 92 women. The majority of the federal funding received to date under HPS has been used for shorter term capital projects. For example, HPS funds were used by the Markham Interchurch Committee for Affordable Housing to provide two units, offering seven beds, of transitional housing to youth within Tony Wong Place in the Town of Markham. This project, as part of a much larger project, involved cooperation between many partners including several levels of government, the construction agency and community-based agencies. As well, HPS funds were used to support renovations at the Inn From the Cold. The funds enabled the modification of sleeping rooms so that the Inn could provide separate sleeping areas for men and women, have accessible bathrooms and created a common storage area for clients accessing the Inn s services. 5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS York Region has been conditionally allocated total funding of $1,591,122 ($530,374 annually) for the period April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2014 under the Homelessness Partnering Strategy. These amounts are included in the proposed 2011 budget for the Community and Health Services Department. Of this amount, $1,353,454 will be available to the community and 15%, or $238,668 will be allocated for regional administrative expenses as is allowed under the federal agreement. Historically, costs associated with the HPS program, including regional administrative costs, have been 100% funded by HRSDC. The renewed program will also be fully funded with no tax levy impact in the operating budgets for the Community and Health Services Department. 6. LOCAL MUNICIPAL IMPACT Participation in the Homelessness Partnering Strategy benefits all York Region communities by strengthening quality of life and providing vital services to the most vulnerable residents. 7. CONCLUSION The Region s continued participation in federal homelessness initiatives is consistent with its role as Service Manager and continues the commitment to working with other levels of government and the community, to work towards homelessness prevention and mitigation.

6 For more information on this report, please contact Cordelia Abankwa-Harris, Managing Director, Strategic Service Integration and Policy Branch at Extension The Senior Management Group has reviewed this report.