Chilliwack Healthier Community Strategic Action Plan

CHILLIWACK HEALTHIER COMMUNITY STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION 1 HOMELESSNESS / AFFORDABLE HOUSING October 13, 2010 Session Notes

1. Inventory of Community Strengths:

ACHIEVEMENTS: Strengths and capabilities:

 need and/or want cooperation and trust between government and community agencies  tap into existing resources in the community – stuff already going on and not in isolation to one another  following your vision and passion  strong commitment to services which are provided  Chilliwack Connect good example of community coming together and working to benefit itself  Peer support agencies and individuals  advocacy role, guidance, navigation – see clients through to some resolution  feel a part of the Chilliwack community like a strong partner rather than acting alone - referrals  Saturday Manna – 5 different faith communities trading off doing community meal (14 years)  Centralized Service Team (MHSD) integrated services with Fraser Health (social worker, mental health), Salvation Army (Shirley)  collaborative network / social network – Chilliwack Connect  local government support (Mayors Committee on Housing; Healthy Community)  involvement of the local government  volunteer involvement and commitment (speaks to community will)  Fraser Valley Rental Assistance program – 6 organizations intended to provide stability four people who would normally be evicted – working poor  Chilliwack Health Contact Centre in the planning stages  211 ( 7x24) access to free info referral two community social government services including shelter line (Information Services Vancouver) www.211.bc.ca  Working in partnerships – experience in working in partnerships  initiatives to use experience and knowledge  government buy-in – City of Chilliwack  Access – reducing barriers: Chilliwack Connect – 1 day direct service provider event with 50 agencies bringing together health care, foot care, financial assistance and so on for people experiencing barriers to access  Chilliwack Health Contact Centre in the planning stages to address barriers to services CHCSAP – Session 1 – Homelessness Page 2.

2. Capturing Themes in Community Strengths

 partnerships  integration  cooperation  coordination  advocacy  volunteerism  trust amongst  action-oriented  political / community will  generosity (material and spiritual)  pride and passion  emerging accessibility

3. Identifying Services, Programs and Gaps

 supportive housing – long term / permanent  low barrier housing  Emergency housing for elders  crisis housing  affordable housing – market rental or otherwise  SIL subsidy  addictions support recovery homes

4. Identifying and Exploring Issues and Opportunities: a) Top 3 issues in this focus area: (table group)

(NOTE: the number to the right represents the number of “votes” each issue received in the large group)

 slum landlords (4)  lack of awareness of services by people (9)  de-concentrating poverty – pockets of undesirable neighbourhoods (12)  lack of understanding of connection between mental health and drug addiction (2)  move forward removing stigma (information sharing and awareness) single parenthood and all marginalized  provincial and federal government presence at meetings (MIA community planning) (5)  landlord and tenant mediation  government funding (10)  government policy / barriers (2)  more proactive support for children  limited support for seniors – meals, transportation (6)  mental health social networks, education and mentoring (18)  focus on negative when it comes to youth  connection between mental health and drug addiction – remove stigma (2)  supervised sobering beds (14) CHCSAP – Session 1 – Homelessness Page 3.

 relational management training (4)  low income – working poor - loss of support dollars (need to continue longer) (4)  affordable housing shelter includes utilities (2)  landlord stigma on low income rental regulations enforcement; bylaw enforcement, absent landlords (13)  need a rental community housing registry  more proactive support for children – income, food, security EDI (11)  more proactive support for parents – budgeting skills, coping skills food prep skills, parenting skills (1) b) Opportunities:

 Fraser Valley Rental Assistance program  2 year pilot rent bank project  second stage housing, transition into the community  social enterprise – creating meaningful work and/or training opportunities for marginalized clients  quick win – post housing registry as a link on InfoChilliwack for landlords and stakeholders and people in need (one stop shop for housing)  pilot project for homeless caseload with MHSD / TPA caseload (third party administered – Salvation Army and MHSD)  youth 13`- 18 food program  location / facilities for cleaning/bathing and laundry (token system)  comprehensive Contact Centre for clients/public and service worker / providers  City to raise awareness of public re violations by slumlords – what can be done to correct situation  Continue pressuring government for funding  Chilliwack Connect as an ongoing process  Co-managed pilot project that makes the Connect idea ongoing  Bylaw enforcement officers more visible and out there in the community – especially at problem properties  Mural projects / graffiti art showcase to avoid graffiti problems  Retired people involved with youth in inter-generational programming for prevention (e.g. community gardening/kitchen)  community participation programs that build life skills (food garden)

ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE TODAY:

 impressed  encouraged  positive  hopeful  part of solution  optimistic  progressive CHCSAP – Session 1 – Homelessness Page 4.

 more informed  challenging  worthwhile  enlightening  more connected  capable  brainstorming  useful  common concerns  determined  overwhelmed  relieved  relieved and appreciative

5. How do we define “Healthier”? a) I know we have a healthier community (in this focus area) when I see:

. All families, individuals and children enjoying the community from dawn to dusk. . Less people hanging around Price Smart drinking from brown bags and more available housing . Streets free of persons living/sleeping on them . No homeless persons . Less pain, suffering on our streets . Barriered clients living in supportive housing . Curtains/blinds windows open . Fewer homeless individuals . More shared-use community living spaces being used . No homeless people or buildings or areas that look like slums . Supportive housing core for homeless individuals with mental diagnosed illnesses or co-occurring disorders . Fewer homeless . Fewer homeless hanging out in Salish Park . No homeless people on the street . A full continuum of housing options . Mixed income neighbourhoods . Multiple affordable housing being utilized by the 5700 members of our community that need it . No hungry faces . Social enterprise opportunities for all marginalized clients . Affordable housing (new or older) CHCSAP – Session 1 – Homelessness Page 5.

. Fewer homeless people; more open faces and smiles and eye contact . Community agencies fully funded by government and local supports which are full of people . When the streets are places where people can walk safely knowing all have a home to go to . Improvements: children out of poverty being fed, nurtured; youth can express graffiti as art murals; and the downtown core looking better than it is now. . People of different ages talking, walking, playing, working, learning together . Problems being solved . Fewer homeless and marginalized people on the streets . Personal assistance given to those who lack the capacity to advocate for themselves b) I know we have a healthier community (in this focus area) when I hear:

. Report of crime reducing . Joy, laughter, music on the streets . A client has finished recovery and is on their way to healthier lifestyle . People being proud of what they “have” living here in Chilliwack and we feel the community supports everyone’s need. . Less crime, muggings, shop-lifting, assaults, reported on the news and in the paper. . Children/youth laughing and playing again . Other’s speak about the various resources available regarding housing . Stories about individuals who overcame obstacles through use of local support networks. . People who used to struggle with housing say how happy they are to have a home . That the food banks have few customers . People singing . Success stories instead of horror stories of our systems, services and safety nets failing . Others talk about what is working in Chilliwack . Most people are eating healthy . Happy children playing, adults talking to neighbours, proud of where they live, and happy to be there. . There are rental units available for seniors and people marginalized due to honest circumstances. . The laughter of children downtown . That people no longer have to chose between housing or food; housing or heat . The happy sounds of neighbours interacting with each other in positive ways . About individuals who have achieved stable housing and care CHCSAP – Session 1 – Homelessness Page 6.

. About more services addressing housing problems effectively and more positive statements and sounds “on the street” . Success stories of issues dealt with successfully . I feel safe and secure . All levels of government announcing real funding . That homelessness in Chilliwack is reduced by 80% . Families talking about security . That our political decision-makers (local, provincial, federal) are living in the same circumstances as the people affected by their decisions (where to eat, sleep, live, with monthly income) c) I know we have a healthier community (in this focus area) when I feel:

. Like strolling downtown day and night and begin to recognize people . Safe on Bole Avenue after 11:30 p.m. Friday night . That we have all worked to make our community(s) a safer and happier place . Good about helping people access housing and other services . Connected . Less overwhelmed with the lack of progress for people facing barriers . Encouraged by clients receiving services in the right place at the right time when they need them. . A sense of safety and comfort in the community . Safe walking anywhere in Chilliwack; happy that I helped change the community for the better. . Energized and healthy myself . That some of the issues are really being addressed and all of the work is moving forward and being implemented . Safer on the street; a more helpful, hopeful and positive environment; less frustration and anger . Poverty has been beaten and there are supports for all . Support for the elderly is met; home and housing for everyone is met; we have a community who supports the disenfranchised. . Safe and supported by government, agencies, churches; uplifted, proud and unafraid to walk the street at night or day . Safe to walk at night along Five Corners . Less frustrated of federal government inadequate action re affordable housing . Content and safe . Connected to the social network . Like I know about the resources available for those who do not feel like there is community support. CHCSAP – Session 1 – Homelessness Page 7.

. The relief and hope of clients who thought they had no options . Safe walking downtown on a Friday night . Safer downtown at night . Like people are being served . Elated when the Contact Centre is up and running . That all members of the community feel a sense of belonging CHCSAP – Session 1 – Homelessness Page 8.

MEASURES FOR SUCCESS:

1. What measures or quantitative objectives are currently used to track success in addressing homelessness or improving access to affordable housing?

. BC Housing’s stats on money spent on subsidies and capital costs; Stats BC and Census Canada stats . Percentage of persons connected to agencies who can assist . MHSD measures the numbers of homeless clients linked to our services through our homeless out reach program with the local Salvation Army . We send reports to BC Housing of the clients we directly assist . City statistics; Resource Society; and other agencies; CMHC . Youth and elder housing projects; mental health housing projects; City-wide co-op projects such as community engagement and Chilliwack Connect . There is a one-day count of homeless; individual societies keep a list of individuals looking for housing . Homeless counts; census and other data gathering; government and agency reporting . Statistics, policy, strategic planning . Graphs that have been done to show us what we need to do . Outreach to the homeless; funding to establish low income housing; supportive living housing / residential facility for concurrent disorders . BC Housing database; partnering . Homelessness count (but should be more frequent); population health numbers; through Fraser Health decision support . Salvation Army; Churches and government initiatives . I thought that’s what we were here to do; the count (MCC 2008) was a way to help estimate how many homelessness . Homelessness counts; inventories of affordable housing; reports on housing needs based on income levels, rental costs and cost of market housing . Job/employment stats (these aren’t a valid tool but seem to be used most often); income assistance stats re client access; police records. I’m sure there are other measures used but don’t know what they are) . Stats, stats, and more stats . Number of homeless people . Census statistics; perception of how “the homeless” are viewed . Personal networking (e.g. contact lists that have been established through personal relationships) . Census stats

2. What other measures or indicators for success could be used in addressing homelessness or improving access to affordable housing in Chilliwack?

. Newspaper stories; business associations’ (newsletter and public announcements); church announcements; community service agency announcements – re landlord and tenant programs, educational programs, etc. CHCSAP – Session 1 – Homelessness Page 9.

. Buildings; affordable buildings (homes); reduction of homeless persons seeking assistance; enhanced quality of life for those in need . Rental housing register; continued housing network planning committee . Build apartments to be used for this; partner with development companies . Regular informal sessions with agencies on the front line . Supportive group homes; pre/post treatment houses; more homes accessible as listed above . Good coordination between societies; partnerships with societies / churches / other groups / who aren’t able to individually develop housing but could do so in partnership . Could add it to intake documents at several government and non-professional agencies – short questionnaire or do a 1-day scan – good for up-to-date data . Directory of services to all front line workers; have them track and bring info to central office; actually see lower numbers of poor on street . Less requests for shelters because affordable housing has been provided . Stand in food bank lines and listen to the story of one or two persons – get to know their needs . Get feed back from the homeless (written, verbal, interviewing); brainstorm for solutions from the needy citizens . More meeting of the minds . Quick surveys of satisfaction with people needing services at events like Connect . Coordinate efforts; government pilot projects . Some people who are homeless are getting financial assistance from MEIA; utilizing or accessing those / that information from this source . Regular (3-4 years) monitoring of increase in affordable housing stock; regular (3-4 years) monitoring of homelessness; FVRD Regional homelessness and housing monitoring and evaluation unit . Anecdotal reports from outreach agencies and workers . None that I am aware of . Number of homeless people without mental health and/or addiction issues needing those services . Addressing why people become homeless by including qualitative surveys / interviews to understand their perspective; secure funding for Health Contact Centre . To partner up with similar agencies using existing facilities in community to provide safe affordable housing both for temp and longer term residence (i.e. Tradesman Inn, vacant buildings, apartments downtown) . Provide affordable housing to reduce the number of identified homeless