Homelessness to Housing Stability   |
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What’s New?
- The 2009 version of the Inventory of Housing Stability Programs is now available on-line. Click here to access a copy (see Section A).
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Promoting Greater Housing Stability in Waterloo Region
The role of The Regional Municipality of Waterloo (the Region) with respect to housing stability is attributed from three different sources: the Federal Government, the Provincial Government and the local community. Each source has its own set of expectations and/or funding portfolios. The total amount of funding allocated from the Region through the Social Planning, Policy and Program Administration division toward housing stability programs and administration approaches $7M per year.
From the Federal Government, the Region has taken on the role of Community Entity for the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) and the role of Community Coordinator for the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS). As the Community Entity, the Region is responsible for facilitating local planning and the administration of HPS funding. As the HIFIS Community Coordinator, the Region champions the implementation and assists with the on-going activities associated with the HIFIS database.
From the Province, the Region has been designated the Service System Manager for Homelessness. As such, the Region is responsible for system planning, service delivery, accountability/quality assurance and resource allocation. The Region administers funding for emergency shelters and domiciliary hostels on a cost-shared basis as well as the Consolidated Homelessness Prevention Program, the Rent Bank, the Emergency Energy Fund and the Water Filter Fund at 100% Provincial funds. In addition, the Region receives funding through the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s Aging At Home program, which is administered by the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network.
Between 2005 and 2007, the Region facilitated the development of All Roads Lead to Home: A Homelessness to Housing Stability Strategy for Waterloo Region (the Strategy) with local stakeholders. The Strategy outlines five guiding principles, eight action areas and 92 actions designed to strengthen the housing stability system in Waterloo Region. Through the Strategy, the housing stability sector identified a vision that “every community member in Waterloo Region has housing stability”. The Strategy serves as the Region’s system plan for housing stability and its implementation forms part of the Region’s Corporate Strategic Plan for 2007-2010. Through the 2008 budget process, Regional Council approved an annual allocation of $350,000 to support local implementation of the Strategy.
In February 2008, Regional Council approved the terms of reference and membership for the Homelessness to Housing Stability Strategy Monitoring Committee (SMC). The SMC exists to monitor implementation of the Strategy to the end of the current term of Regional Council in December 2010. This group is responsible for submitting annual implementation progress reports to Regional Council.
Finally, two targets have been endorsed by Regional Council in the area of housing stability:
1) to prevent persistent homelessness for 100 people and
2) to end persistent homelessness for 50 people by December 2010.
People experiencing persistent homelessness often have complex issues that make it difficult to find and maintain housing over the long term without specialized support. Extensive research conducted locally has shown that the use of various emergency services (e.g. police, Emergency Medical Services, emergency shelters, hospitals) is roughly 10 times more expensive than providing housing with support.
For more information about the programs funded through the Social Planning, Policy and Program Administration division, other initiatives, Regional reports and publications, and general sources of information about housing and homelessness, please visit the web pages as outlined below.
Housing Stability Programs Funded by the Region
Domiciliary Hostel Program
Visit this page to learn about the 14 Domiciliary Hostels funded through agreements with the Region and to access a copy of the Region’s Domiciliary Hostel Guidelines.
Emergency Shelter Program
Visit this page to learn about the four emergency shelters and one maternity home funded through agreements with the Region and to access a copy of the Region’s Emergency Shelter Guidelines.
Waterloo Region Energy Assistance Program
Visit this page to learn about utility arrears assistance for households with low-income.
Other Housing Stability Programs
Visit this page to learn about the other housing stability programs funded through agreements with the Region.
The Homelessness to Housing Stability Strategy
2005-2007
Visit this page to learn about the development of the background reports and the Homelessness to Housing Stability Strategy.
2007-2010
Visit this page to learn about the plans underway to implement the Homelessness to Housing Stability Strategy during the current term of Regional Council.
Action Updates
Visit this page to stay informed about progress and current activities related to implementation of the Homelessness to Housing Stability Strategy.
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Reports and Publications
Visit this page to access the Region’s reports and publications in the area of housing stability, including the Inventory of Housing Stability Programs, Homelessness Partnering Strategy Community Plans, background reports to the Homelessness to Housing Stability Strategy, housing stability system brochures and booklets, and other related publications.
Links
Visit this page to access national, provincial and local links to homelessness and housing related websites.
Contact Us
Visit this page to access the contact information for Regional Staff of the Homelessness to Housing Stability Unit.
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