Partnering to End Housing Instability in Newfoundland & Labrador “Strength in Unity” Kimberly Yetman Dawson
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 on 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 Thursday, November 22, 9 AM – 4 PM Foran/Greene Room, St. John’s City Hall To register or for more info: Scott 570-2096
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
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