Housing Support Strategies for Whitehorse Whitehorse, Yukon Blood Ties Four Directions Centre

 The Housing Navigator’s position was responsible for supporting clients in finding and keeping housing.  In the first few years, we learned that there were a number of barriers keeping our clients from being able to participate in housing in our community:  Damage deposits / last months rent  Furnishings  Understanding their rights & responsibilities as tenants  Access to viewing apartments  Self-advocacy  Organization  Poor housing record / no references / recent incarceration  Support through difficulties once housed  Boundaries with friends/couch surfers and substance use  Reluctant landlords  In order to reduce some of these barriers, we developed a number of housing programs: LWEH, Steve Cardiff House, Emergency Housing Fund, access to housing support worker (Housing Navigator) for case management, placement and housing loss prevention.

 Provides housing opportunities to individuals that:  Need some support  May be hard to house due to homelessness, poverty, stigmatizing health conditions, experiencing addiction or mental health challenges, or poor housing record

LWEH creates a partnership between a landlord, Blood Ties, and a client placed in the housing unit. LWEH Housing: - already exists (no need to build units) - is integrated in the community – part of the neighborhood - is long-term and stable - allows for a range of client supports by providing housing support worker along with the housing LWEH: -minimizes risk for landlords -while meaningfully engaging them in resolving homelessness in our community

 Blood Ties leases a unit from a Landlord  Units need to be accessible, affordable, adequate  Length of lease = 1 year  Blood Ties assumes responsibility for timely rent payment, maintenance of premises, and repair of damages caused by the tenant or guests of the tenant  Rental income for Blood Ties comes from S.A. or DIA or FN

 Blood Ties works with the Landlord to find a suitable individual to sublet the unit  Blood Ties, the Landlord, and Tenant all agree to work together to ensure tenant housing success  Supports & case management are put in place to increase housing success

 If the individual originally selected for the unit does not work out, Blood Ties holds the lease and fills the unit with a new tenant  Housing worker works to “rapidly re-house” the first tenant

 Relationship building is essential and includes open, honest communication and being upfront about the complex needs of the population we are trying to house

 Once a client is housed, the client receives a full range of supports  Supports include; help with employment, finances, counselling, adequate nutrition, and communicating with landlords

 Keeping a client housed starts from the moment they move in.  Transitioning into housing can often be a huge adjustment  Things clients need supports with during move-in and once moved in:  Basic furnishings such as mop/broom, cleaning supplies, linens, etc.  Furniture such as couches and beds  Establishing and maintaining boundaries with peers  Communicating with Landlord, understanding their rights and responsibilities.

 Many landlords are receptive and want to participate  Prospective housing units need to be a good fit for the clients’ needs  Be prepared for some fails: the program works most of the time  The first month or two can be challenging as the client settles into housing and the landlord settles into the arrangement

Blood Ties wanted a housing project that could be done quickly, autonomously and within the budgetary means of the Housing Fund

 Designed to provide Transitional Supportive Housing (3 month to 1 year long stays) to HIV / HCV positive clients or those highly vulnerable to infection.  Cheap and fast to build, affordable to maintain: VIEW FROM THE LOFT

 Tiny House is 12 X 18 (240 sq.feet w/ loft)  Meant for 1 person; size of unit reduces risk of unwanted couch surfers  Relatively easy to move

 Monthly maintenance and operations of the house fit within the typical S.A. rental rates for Yukon with $$ left over for building maintenance fund  Tenants are charged S.A. rental rates and no more; includes heat, power, and cable t.v.

The Steve Cardiff House

 Emergency Housing Fund  Designed to provide short-term emergency assistance to clients in housing crisis  Includes a set of policies and procedures for accessing the fund  Examples of how fund has been used:  to cover rent for one month  damage deposit  utility bills  short-term hotel room stays for clients needing break from the shelter or the street  tents & gear for clients sleeping rough or using camp grounds  house furnishings

 Emergency Housing Fund cont’d  The Housing Fund is also used for housing development:  Tiny House (The Steve Cardiff House)  Support programs like the Landlords Working to End Homelessness (LWEH) program.  $$ for the Housing Fund comes through fundraising activities

 Tenant Survival Guides  Tenant Wisdom course  ‘Tips for Interviewing Landlords’ an information sheet on suggestions on how to talk to a potential landlord  Provide references for clients  Accompaniments and transportation assistance to clients for house viewings

More Info: Patricia Bacon, Executive Director x 22