1. A PATH TO HOME: SUPPORTING HOUSING NEEDS FOR NEWCOMERS YMCA of Greater Toronto – National Program Coordinator Funded by: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

2. YMCA of Greater Toronto The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity focused on community support and development. Our aim is to provide every individual in our community with opportunities for personal growth, community involvement, and leadership. As one of the largest charities in North America, we help over 400,000 people each year through three core programs: YMCA Health, Fitness and Recreation YMCA Child and Family YMCA Employment and Community

3. A Path to Home: Supporting Housing Needs for Newcomers : Brief History Government identified this program as a need – newcomers homeless population underserved Research on the topic – scarce and mostly local (i.e. big urban centers Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal) December 2012 pilot start Extended pilot in 2014 Program in 2015

4. A Path to Home: Supporting Housing Needs for Newcomers – Overview “A Path to Home: Supporting Housing Needs for Newcomers” is addressing the housing needs for newcomers in Toronto, Edmonton and Fredericton. Coordinator - YMCA of Greater Toronto Delivery Sites COSTI Immigrant Services YMCA of Northern Alberta Multicultural Association of Fredericton Supporting Partner – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Canada

5. A Path to Home: Supporting Housing Needs for Newcomers – Overview The goal of the program is to address three core objectives in a holistic approach through a variety of services and activities as part of the housing continuum: Housing Access Housing Stabilization Eviction Prevention The program will reduce visible and invisible barriers that newcomers face. The purpose and anticipated end result of this pilot is to explore the possibility of providing immigrants and refugees dedicated access to specialized housing services to prevent homelessness, address ‘hidden’ housing issues, make the transition from homelessness to housing, and in the case of evictions, provide necessary supports as needed. The core services will be delivered within the framework of the three components of the program: Case management Community capacity building Coordination

6. A Path to Home: Supporting Housing Needs for Newcomers – Overview The program is reaching recent immigrants and resettled refugees who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and who face multiple barriers to integration - in Canada for more than 1 year and less than 3. According to the “Defining and Enumerating Homelessness in Canada” report presented to the Parliament of Canada (reviewed in May 2012) by the Social Affair Division, homelessness is a complete and multifaceted issue. Homelessness consists of housing situations ranging from : Rooflessness (living on the street or in emergency shelters) Houselessness (living in various types of shelters or institutions) Insecure housing (living under threat of eviction or violence) Inadequate housing (living in unfit or overcrowded conditions).

7. YMCA of Greater Toronto - Coordination The YMCA of Greater Toronto - coordinator: Key functions: Setting and maintaining program standards and policies Facilitating forums for sharing and learning between delivery sites nationally and provincially (staff networks, online Wiki tool, trainings) Centralized client data tracking (ETO database) Support programs that are adapted to the needs of each local community partner

8. Overview 2012-2016 2012 - 2014 2014 - 2015 2015 - 2016 Toronto Edmonton Fredericton 25 cases 15 cases 10 cases 15 cases 10 cases 15 cases 10 cases Total number of cases 2012 – 2016: 150 Note: Cases vary in composition (from a family of 8 to single)

9. A Path to Home: Supporting Housing Needs for Newcomers December 2012 - 2014 38% GARs, 32% Convention Refugees, 18% Independent Immigrants, 12% Sponsored (184 individuals) Accomplishments:  66 % of cases moved to better housing:  22 cases moved into subsidized housing  11 cases moved to improved housing  73% of cases were comfortable with the housing situation  42% of clients working FT  26% of clients working PT  55% of youth enrolled in college/university  36% of clients attending language training program  83% improved understanding of Canadian culture

10.  74% are aware of/accessed information on rights, responsibilities and entitlements of tenants  71% participated in community events/community life  66% improved basic life skills  62% are aware of/accessed settlement services in the community Challenges:  Finding housing accommodation – 62%  Budgeting and managing money – 42%  Finding a job – 40%  Adapting to a new country – 35%  Learning English – 30% A Path to Home: Supporting Housing Needs for Newcomers

11. 2014 - 2015 36% GARs (2% down from 2012-2014), 30% Sponsored (18% increase), 22% Convention Refugees(10% down), 12% Independent Immigrants (6% down); 148 individuals Accomplishments:  64 % of cases moved to better housing:  16 cases moved into subsidized housing  15 cases moved to improved housing (market)  70% of cases were comfortable with the housing situation  33% of clients working FT  10% of clients working PT  31% of youth enrolled in college/university  33% of clients attending language training program A Path to Home: Supporting Housing Needs for Newcomers

12.  73% improved understanding of Canadian culture  78% are aware of/accessed information on rights, responsibilities and  52% participated in community events/community life  55% improved basic life skills  55% are aware of/accessed settlement services in the community Challenges:  Finding housing accommodation – 47%  Budgeting and managing money – 46%  Finding a job – 36%  Adapting to a new country – 22%  Learning English – 53% A Path to Home: Supporting Housing Needs for Newcomers

13. Promising practices: Fostering collaboration between program delivery agencies Establishing clear program objectives and outcomes Promoting cross learning Facilitating community capacity building (creation of local Advisory Committees) Creating awareness about Housing Needs for Newcomers Evaluations: -Year 1 (2012-2014) Scott, Gaetz & Winland -Year 2 (2014-2015) Scott, Gaetz & Winland A Path to Home: Supporting Housing Needs for Newcomers

14. Evaluation Recommendations 1. Ensuring housing affordability 2. Housing and supports for newcomers should align with Housing First principles and practices 3. The unique needs of newcomers must be addressed with specialized services and enhanced support 4. The duration of support for newcomers should be extended 5. Community engagement strategies should be enhanced, with particular focus on landlords, housing providers and businesses 6. A standardized approach to case management and data collection should be adopted 7. The Government of Canada should support enhanced collaboration between the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (Employment and Social Development Canada) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada to address newcomer Homelessness 8. Revise the project model, including criteria for participation, set intake and duration of support 9. Based on the revised model, move to a longer-term program

15. Thank you! Nicoleta Monoreanu APTH Program Director YMCA of Greater Toronto Email: nicoleta.monoreanu@ymcagta.org Adela Colhon General Manager, National and Provincial Programs YMCA of Greater Toronto Email: Adela.colhon@ymcagta.org