CSWP Encampment Task Force: Priorities for Action

The objectives of this survey are to:

• Confirm the Encampment Task Force’s priorities for action
• Prevent duplication of service by identifying existing work being done to support the prioritized actions
• Identify potential targeted actions the Task Force could take by examining existing service gaps

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Upon review of the action recommendations from the group, the following actions were identified as being under the purview of the Housing and Homelessness Committee and therefore not appropriate for the Encampment Task Force.

Actions for Housing Organizations

• Increase supply of rooms for rent using strategies that ensure safety and connection to necessary supports
• Establish a means of ongoing engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness in the system and service planning process
• Strengthen service coordination between agencies working to house people, including establishing strong consent and data sharing agreements
• Establish a landlord recruitment and outreach strategy
• Coordinate advocacy efforts to increase funding for affordable housing
• Increase overdose awareness and information about harm reduction strategies to the broader community
• Retrofit an unused school building into transitional housing with supports

Actions for Support Organizations

• Strengthen understanding of and respect for different agency roles, mandates, and service models
• Strengthen service coordination between agencies working with individuals experiencing homelessness, including establishing strong consent and data sharing agreements
• Increase front-line staff training and awareness of available supports
• Establish regular collaboration meetings using existing tables, such as the Housing and Homelessness table (subcommittee) or the Homelessness Situation Table
• Establish a partnership with PAWR to increase access to free or low-cost pet food and provide short-term care for pets if needed
• Partner to provide regular ‘pop-up’ supports
• Expand outreach services to include transportation to appointments
• Expand supports to those individuals that have been housed to stop the cycle of homelessness

The remaining recommendations were therefore prioritized for action by the Encampment Task Force:

Priority Action 1: Establish a joint protocol for a coordinated response to encampments between health care, income support, emergency services, public health, by-law, and mental health and addiction services

Priority Action 2: Increase health-based outreach to individuals living rough without requiring engagement in housing supports

Priority Action 3: Increase ways of staying connected to individuals in encampments such as providing a means of communication