May 30, 2016 Aboriginal Housing First Readiness Pilot Project Developing an Aboriginal Housing First Approach

Presentation 1. Urban Aboriginal Housing Preference 2.Challenges 3.Cultural Safety 4.Our Approach 5.Developing Program Model Reccomendations 6.Review of the Housing First Toolkit Checklist 5/30/20162

Urban Aboriginal Housing Preference It is a commonly held preference amongst Aboriginal peoples to live in cluster housing rather than away from their community in scattered sites. Family responsibilities and connections are important community priorities and most Aboriginal people will indicate a preference to be close to their community and family to care for Elders & children; and, to preserve and promote cultural and spiritual practices. In some cases “close to the community” will mean peoples’ reserve community but in the context of urban Aboriginal people also means Aboriginal non-profit housing sites, gathering places and institutions established for the thousands of Aboriginal people living in the cities of Metro Vancouver. 5/30/20163

Challenges  Aboriginal communities face additional challenges when building social programs and physical infrastructures where consideration should be given to the affects of the Residential Schools in Canada.  Aboriginal community disadvantages exist due to the loss and destruction of many aspects of daily indigenous lifestyles and pursuits. 5/30/20164

Cultural Safety Affects of Colonization- (source: Canadian Housing First Toolkit Appendix- Introduction to Cultural Safety) the loss and destruction of:  Traditional identity, spirituality, language and culture through government policies  Traditional economies through expropriation of traditional lands and resources  Indigenous forms of governance and community organization and cohesion  Healthy patterns of individual, family and community life 5/30/20165

Cultural Safety (cont.) Cultural competency- (source: Canadian Housing First Toolkit Appendix- Introduction to Cultural Safety) culturally competent organizations may demonstrate:  A set of values, principles and structures to work cross culturally  Works within the cultural context of the community in which it serves  A work in progress of policy making, administrative practices and service delivery  Involves clients, families and communities  Recognising that individuals and organizations will be at various levels of awareness, knowledge and skills 5/30/20166

Considerations  Many of the agencies and individuals we encounter along the way will demonstrate differing preferences and expressions of cultural identity which may be due to:  Community of origin  Newly forming or rediscovered cultural connections and spiritual practices  Integration and assimilation 5/30/20167

Our Approach  Our efforts during this pilot project will be guided by the respect for traditional territories, and recognition of diversity and the rights of Aboriginal people to self- determination. 5/30/20168

May 30, Developing Program Model Recommendation  Despite some of the challenges we may encounter, we are committed to indigenising the Housing First approach and revising the material to suit and accommodate the needs of the urban Aboriginal community in Metro Vancouver.  The surveys will probe for cultural aspects of indigenous life and preferences, we will also rely on the field workers observations of institutions and housing environments and how these environments promote traditions, culture and heritage.

Developing Program Model Recommendations (cont.)  The following checklist steps are from the Canadian Housing First Toolkit on page 56.  See the website at: 5/30/

Checklist 1. Convening A Stakeholder Coalition & Setting Up A Planning Group  Establish a cross sectorial working group  Enlist the expertise of people with lived experience  Consult with groups with Housing First experience  Communicate with the community about Housing First  Liaise with Housing First champions in your community  Develop a Planning Group 5/30/201611

Checklist 2. Mobilizing Readiness By Developing A Social Marketing Strategy  Understand the perspectives of stakeholders on Housing First  Develop key messages to frame Housing First to each audience 5/30/201612

Checklist 3. Developing A Program Model  Evaluate gaps in existing services  Determine how Housing First can complement existing services  Communicate the core principles of the Housing First model and address community concerns  Consider adaptions of the model for your community 5/30/201613

Checklist 4. Involving People With Lived Experience (will include Elders, Youth and Veterans)  Conduct focus groups with people with lived experience to solicit feedback about the direction of the planning process  Create full time paid positions for people with lived experience  Create job descriptions for people with lived experience with clearly defined tasks and roles  Develop a plan for involving people with lived experience in quality assurance and evaluation processes 5/30/201614

Checklist 5. Connecting With Landlords  Contact existing housing organizations for leads on potential landlords  Develop/distribute a brochure on Housing First to potential landlords  Host an information session for potential landlords 5/30/201615

Checklist 6. Securing Funding  Gather information about potential funding streams relevant to housing/services  Explore and consider multiple funding sources, based on your context/province  Reach out to funded Housing First programs to share experiences 5/30/201616

Checklist 7. Choosing A Host Agency  Consider pros and cons of potential host agencies  Consider pros and cons of a lead agency vs. multi- agency model  Select a host agency/agencies 5/30/201617

Checklist 8. Developing Housing Protocols  Create protocol for housing procurement  Create protocol for interim housing and moving/storage  Create protocol for unit transfers and evictions 5/30/201618

Checklist 9. Hiring Staff  Develop job descriptions of housing and service team members  Develop a profile of the skills/values required of staff  Plan staff training in the Housing First model and principles  Clearly define the roles/responsibilities of each staff member and team  Determine intervals of data collection and persons responsible 5/30/201619

Checklist 10. Developing An Evaluation Plan  Decide on using an internal or external evaluation team  Develop a Housing First program logic model  Work collaboratively to determine what to track and measure  Develop a data base or system for collecting data  Determine intervals of data collection and persons responsible 5/30/201620

Checklist Final thoughts on the Checklist The checklist guides us through the process of community engagement, and then onto the planning phases and finally towards preparing for implementation of Housing First. However, through the work that the AHFRPP is conducting on behalf of the Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee, we are also seeking community input on how to incorporate cultural safety in the work the community will endeavour to do on an Aboriginal Housing First program. 5/30/201621

Surveys Gathering and recording responses  We are working with diverse groups and considering a wide range of responses to the development of an Aboriginal Housing First model, and to ensure we accurately capture the surveys we used an online tool, Survey Monkey and also retained hard copies off the interviews wih the agencies. 5/30/201622