Brantford and Brant County Community Plan on Homelessness Issues

Brantford and Brant County Community Plan on Homelessness Issues

A Request for Stakeholder Input

The Community Advisory Board (CAB) on Homelessness Issues is preparing a community plan to address homelessness issues in the City of Brantford and Brant County. The new plan is being developed with extensive stakeholder involvement. This discussion paper has been prepared to inform you about the project and solicit your responses to the emerging directions for programs for the homeless in our community, and specifically for the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS).

The Process to Date

In the spring of 2007 the CAB hired a temporary researcher and retained a planning consultant to conduct an assessment of the current (2004) homelessness plan and develop a new plan.
On May 22 about 28 service providers from a range of local agencies participated in a half-day consultation session to assess progress on the 2005-06 plan and identify lessons learned. Information from the session was incorporated into a formal Community Plan Assessment that was submitted to HRSDC/Service Canada on May 31.
The researcher then collected further community data and conducted a series of interviews and focus groups with service users and other key stakeholders.
On July 26, the provider group from the May session and some additional participants attended a full-day planning forum. They reviewed the community information and consultation findings, engaged in visioning activities and developed draft goals and objectives.

What Happens Next?

The next step of the consultation process begins with this discussion paper, which reflects the thinking of the participants in the planning process so far. This is "work in progress" that will evolve as we hear more from our various stakeholders. Please read it carefully and consider the questions posed.

Complete the following online form. Focus questions have been provided to guide discussion and feedback. Your responses must be submitted by Friday August 31, 2007.

A new homelessness plan based on feedback received and data collected will be completed in September and submitted to Service Canada.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT

The following "SWOT" analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) for the system of services and supports for the homeless in Brantford and Brant County was assembled from the environmental scan and input at the planning sessions.

Strengths:	A broad range of existing programs, services and supports Numerous community based initiatives to build on Dedication and commitment of service providers Partnering and collaboration among agencies Creativity and resourcefulness with limited resources Availability of federal funding Tangible progress on the 2004 plan
Weaknesses:	Gaps in some services Lack of affordable, transitional and emergency housing Inadequate funding to meet demand Transportation in the area Restrictive rules and policies Low public awareness of homelessness and poverty issues Coordination between levels of government High cost of living
Opportunities:	New partnering arrangements Marketing and increasing awareness Developing the volunteer base Addressing targeted service needs Corporate and private sector involvement Converting existing buildings into affordable housing Leveraging government support
Threats:	Competition from other funding priorities Myths and stereotypes about the homeless Increasing housing prices Factory closures in the community Gentrification of the downtown area Increased population at risk Failure to address causes Sustainability issues Failure of community to take ownership
Any strategic initiatives contained in the homelessness plan will need to build on strengths, rectify weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities and address threats.

Focus Question:

Should any other strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats be considered?

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Opportunities:
Threats:

VISION

A vision statement describes the "preferred future state" of a community and its stakeholders. Participants at the July planning forum engaged in a visioning exercise and identified the following elements of a future for homeless services in Brantford and Brant County:

Improved services, supports and facilities for the homeless and at risk population
Increased funding and resources
A high level of public awareness of homelessness issues
Supportive government policies
Successful community outcomes with significant reductions in numbers of homeless and those who are at risk of homelessness

Focus Question:

Have any vision elements been overlooked?

EMERGING DIRECTIONS

The following high-level draft goals and objectives were developed at the planning forum. They pertain to improving services, raising the profile of homelessness issues, expanding resources, and developing the community.

1.0 Improve access to services for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming
homeless:

1.1  Institute one-stop shopping through a permanent access point.
1.2  Increase available information on services that are user friendly in format.
1.3  Establish a community drop-in centre with information and concrete services for at-risk
       populations and those who are homeless.
1.4  Increase transparency of the services that are already available.

Focus Questions:

Are there other things that should be done to improve access?

2.0 Expand the reach of services for the those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless:

2.1 Expand services into the County.
2.2 Develop mobile services (such as the Hamilton health bus).

Focus Questions:

Are there other things that should be done to expand the reach of services?

3.0 Deliver new and expanded services in identified priority areas:

3.1  Increase the supply of transitional housing.
3.2  Increase the supply of family second stay and transitional housing.
3.3  Establish mobile dental, legal and medical services.
3.4  Increase the supply of affordable housing.
3.5  Increase the supply of emergency housing.
3.6  Increase support to ensure the sustainability of the emergency meal programs.

Focus Questions:

What other service priorities should be identified here?

4.0 Develop understanding and support for homelessness issues:

4.1  Increase identified stakeholders' awareness of homelessness and poverty.
4.2  Develop an ongoing marketing and awareness program.
4.3  Increase media engagement.
4.4  Attract a high profile spokesperson for the cause.

Focus Questions:

Are there other goals that should be pursued in this area?

5.0 Expand resources:

5.1  Advocate for government funding at all levels.
5.2  Form public-private partnerships for funding.
5.3  Attract a major corporate sponsor.
5.4  Engage more volunteers from educational institutions.

Focus Questions:

Feel free to suggest other broad initiatives for expanding resources.

6.0 Develop the community through increased collaboration:

6.1  Identify community partners and their roles.
6.2  Develop a community vision where all components of the community work together.
6.3  Establish a collaborative structure to implement the vision.
6.4  Develop joint messages and initiatives.

Focus Questions:

Are there other goals that should be pursued in this area?

7.0 Other:

Focus Questions:

Have any important goals been missed?

What do you feel should be the most important priority of the CAB in the next year?