Strength in Unity Kimberly Yetman Dawson Overview Housing & - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Partnering to End Housing Instability in Newfoundland & Labrador

Kimberly Yetman Dawson

“Strength in Unity”

Overview

• Housing & homelessness
• What is the NLHHN doing
• Issues and events specific to seniors
• What you can do
• Question/Comments

Housing first

• Housing is a basic

human need

• Housing stability

supports healthy, prosperous, inclusive communities

But not for all…

1.5 million Canadian households in “core housing need” (2006)

• 27,300 in NL
• 9,255 in
• St. John’s

Undermines our communities

No vacancy

• 2011 private rental vacancy rates reach

historic lows across NL:

• 2.0% St. John’s (2.3% 10 year average)
• 2.3% Gander
• 2.7% Grand Falls
• 1.7% Corner Brook

Rising housing costs

• 2009-2011, St. John’s:
• New home prices rise 16.2% (faster than any

Canadian city)

• Rents increase 14.4% Oct 2009-Oct 2011.
• Nearly 50% of existing affordable private

rental units ‘lost’ due to rising rents (1998- 2008)

Many living on the edge

• Little new private

rental construction

• Shelter use grows:
• 1,171 (2008)
• 1,408 (2009)
• 1,505 (2010)

Hidden homelessness

• Poverty, abuse, ill health
• Slum boarding and

bedsitting rooms

• Temporary or illegal

accommodation.

• Friends’/relatives’ homes

(couch-surfing)

• Inaccessible housing

Evolving face of homelessness

Seniors?

The Need:

• Housing & homelessness identified as a major

issue at government consultations

• Complex issue that requires all levels of

government, private, non-profit & volunteer sector

• Allowing community to respond to needs is the

best use of government funding and best reflects what community is asking for

Who We Are?

• 170 community-based service providers, municipal,

provincial and federal departments, etc.,

• Committed to working collaboratively and creatively
• n issues relating to housing & homelessness

GOALS:

• Prevent & end all types of homelessness
• Ensure housing stability

11 Regional Community Advisory Boards (RCABs)

• St. John’s
• Marystown - Burin Peninsula
• Clarenville - Bonavista
• Grand Falls – Windsor
• Corner Brook
• Stephenville
• Happy Valley-Goose Bay
• Labrador West
• Carbonear - Baccalieu
• Gander-New-Wes-Valley
• Coast of Bays
• Mount Pearl & Northern Peninsula

Strategies

• Housing & Homelessness Policy Framework

Paper

• All candidates engagement in issues - federal,

provincial & municipal level

• Participation in all government consultations
• Collaborate with government on creating

solutions ie: social innovation, funding, policy

• Partnering with Municipalities NL & City of St.

John’s in affordable housing efforts

• Professional Development Needs Assessment
• High School lesson plans, brochures, posters, etc.,
• Provincial training co-ordination centre
• Training for Shelter Staff & Housing Support Service

workers

• Other Professional Development Opportunities ie:

Provincial Conference, NAVNET, CHRA, etc.,

• Training business plan – who does what, when

• Sharing effective practices
• Project support and development
• Capacity funding & funding info.,
• Community Planning
• Housing Support & Housing

Development staff funding

• CABS Inform Network activity
• Voices heard

• Canadian Housing Renewal Association
• Research best practices
• Homelessness Individual Family Information

System (HIFIS) Community Coordinator

• Data – sharing best practices and working

towards creation of a provincial data framework

• Housing Support Workers gathering data
• NL Housing Statistics Co-ordinating Committee

• 24 NL Community Pancake Breakfasts
• Raising the Roof Toque Campaign
• Presentations: schools, government, assoc., etc.,
• High school ethics class lesson plan
• Affordable Housing Provincial Awareness

Campaign

• Sleep Out 120
• Conference Attendance

Seniors

• Increased number retiring into poverty
• Large aging population with lack of social

infrastructure

• Out migration of family support
• HSW seeing number of seniors at community

meals, using food banks, turning off heat, going to plazas for warmth

• On fixed income: cost of living increases
• Large demographic of senior home ownership

Home Share NL

• Seniors’ housing program: solution for students &

seniors

• St. John’s project funded by all three levels of

government

• Volunteer advisory committee and community

partners

• Hired project Coordinator to help match students

and seniors

• Pilot program started recently with hopes to be

provincial

FORUM: Creating Innovative Housing Solutions for Seniors

• Workshop engaging seniors, government, industry

and community groups

• Keynote speaker Don Shiner sharing international

best practices

• Focus: Affordability, Accessibility, Energy Efficiency

To register or for more info: Scott 570-2096 Thursday, November 22, 9 AM – 4 PM Foran/Greene Room, St. John’s City Hall

Housing Futures Workshop

• Aging Issues Network NL workshop based on

informative booklet ‘Seniors and Housing Transitions’

• For 50-plus age category to help you prepare

for a housing future characterized by freedom, security and affordability Wed., November 14, 7-9 PM Foran/Greene Room –

• St. John’s City Hall

EVERYONE NEEDS A HOME

What can you do…

• Be aware of the issues
• VOTE: Meet and speak with political leaders
• Donate: financial, expertise, household items,

etc.,

• Mentor/model
• Speak out – media, injustice, truth/facts
• VOLUNTEER

“Strength in Unity”

The Network Way

• Collaboration, partnership, coordination
• No need to reinvent the wheel
• Identifying

community needs is key

• Building capacity
• Provincial approach
• Your Network – Your Voice

THANK YOU! QUESTIONS/COMMENTS Kimberly 754-0446