The "Red Deer Community Housing and Homelessness Integrated Plan (CHHIP) Technical Report (2019)" provides a strategic framework aimed at addressing and resolving homelessness and housing instability in Red Deer, Alberta. Developed through extensive community engagement, including nearly 2,700 participants, this five-year plan emphasizes actionable steps, systems integration, and collaborative efforts among community stakeholders to tackle complex social issues comprehensively.
Key Insights and Priorities:
Community Engagement:
- Over 1,100 hours of community consultation, including citizens, Indigenous representatives, service providers, and individuals with lived experiences.
- Major themes emphasized include the urgency of action over discussion, integration of services, affordable housing expansion, culturally informed services, and targeted homelessness prevention.
Strategic Priorities:
- Wraparound Supports:
- Integration of housing efforts with mental health, addictions, and anti-violence initiatives, employing a comprehensive approach to prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and enforcement.
- Truth & Reconciliation:
- Commitment to addressing homelessness as a legacy of colonialism, prioritizing Indigenous-led, culturally competent approaches, and reconciliation actions.
- Housing Options:
- Expanding diverse and affordable housing solutions including permanent supportive housing, rental subsidies, and homeownership support.
- Encouraging private sector involvement through incentives and strategic partnerships.
- Early Intervention & Coordination:
- Strengthening early intervention through coordinated access, crisis intervention, and prevention programs designed to mitigate homelessness risks.
- Communication and Leadership:
- Enhancing public education campaigns and community awareness regarding homelessness, mental health, addictions, and Indigenous history.
- Fostering integrated leadership across public systems and community partnerships.
Strategic Investments:
- Projected investments include approximately $246 million in capital and $27 million in operational funding aimed at housing affordability initiatives.
- Specific targets include the creation of 1,300 deep-subsidy rental units, 1,000 affordable rental units at 10% below market rates, 1,500 deep subsidy rent supplements, and various homeownership supports.
- Homelessness-specific investments anticipate over $20 million in housing programs, alongside additional investments in coordinated system planning and performance management.
Goals and Outcomes:
- Achieve zero chronic homelessness by 2025.
- Stabilize at least 30% of at-risk individuals through effective homelessness prevention interventions.
- Implement coordinated access systems, ensuring 90% of clients are matched with housing in under 90 days.
- Reduce returns to homelessness to less than 15%.
- Enhance service quality through continuous performance management driven by frontline and lived-experience engagement.
The CHHIP outlines a collaborative, inclusive approach grounded in evidence-based practices, system integration, and community-led innovation, ultimately aiming to create sustainable, supportive, and resilient housing solutions for the Red Deer community.
Read Full Report:
https://hubs.ly/Q01VmXVj0
