Red Deer Community Housing and Homelessness 5-Year Integrated Plan
City of Red Deer
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.