Calgary Homeless Foundation: Agencies Target Long-Term Shelter Users for Housing and Support
An Update on the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2011/12 (October 1 - December 31, 2011)
(firmenpresse) - CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/17/12 -- By the end of the third quarter, non-profit agencies funded by the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) achieved the annual target of housing 500 chronically and episodically homeless individuals in nine months. At the same time, another $4.6 million in funding was awarded to agencies to provide housing and support, of which $4.0 million is directed to those experiencing chronic homelessness.
"With limited resources, we need to focus our efforts on those who have been in the emergency shelters for a long time," said Tim Richter, CHF President and CEO. "By housing these individuals, we not only help the most vulnerable, but we also free up considerable space in the emergency shelter system."
Table 1
(1) Represents total since January 2008, when 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness in Calgary (10 Year Plan) was implemented. The number of people served since January 2008 is not available as this was not part of reporting at the start of the 10 Year Plan.
(2) The number 'served' are lower due to the removal of data from NeighbourLink and the Canadian Red Cross, which no longer have funding agreements through the CHF.
Table 2(3,4)
(3)Table 2 shows distribution of services by priority population. Table 2 totals do not add to the same totals as Table 1 because people can be in more than one category.
(4)Women are a priority population in the updated 10 Year Plan. Women receiving housing and services are currently not tracked separately by agencies, but data will be available with implementation of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
(5)Programs that provide services that do not include housing are under 'Served.' Programs that provide housing are under 'Housed.'
(6)The number for 'Housed' and 'Served' chronic and episodically homeless may have a level of inaccuracy due to different definitions for the terms 'chronic' and 'episodic.' The implementation of the HMIS will significantly improve the quality of data received and reported.
(7)The number 'Served' are lower due to the removal of data from NeighbourLink and the Canadian Red Cross, which no longer have funding agreements through the CHF.
(8)Reported numbers may change based on verifying final numbers with Human Services.
Table 3
Table 4
(9)The objective of the local and provincial 10 Year Plans is to reduce the length of stay in emergency shelters. HS has the responsibility and contractual relationship with emergency shelters to impact achievement of this objective.
Q3 HIGHLIGHTS
Strategy
System Planning & Strategy Development
Development of a System Planning Framework (Framework) was completed in November. A 40-member System Planning Advisory Committee (Committee) provided input into key elements of the Framework, which is available . The Committee recommended the CHF develop an ongoing system planning process in 2012, including receiving input from stakeholders on a quarterly basis. The CHF began working with funded agencies to align 2012/13 contracts with system planning.
Plan to End Youth Homelessness (Youth Plan)
A Youth Advisory Committee was established and will be led by two young people who have experienced homelessness. Goals and strategies in the Youth Plan are being prioritized to determine an implementation plan in the short term, medium term and long term.
Plan to End Aboriginal Homelessness (Aboriginal Plan)
A second draft of the Aboriginal Plan is near completion. More than 40 interviews occurred with people who have experienced homelessness. As well, four focus groups and one community gathering took place. The literature review is complete and synthesis of collected information is underway. A final version of the Aboriginal Plan is expected to be complete by the end of March 2012 for release in April 2012.
Research
A research project to determine best practices for homelessness outreach was conducted, with results to be released in the fourth quarter. Full analysis of the results will guide the development of standards of practice for outreach workers.
In 2011, a publicly-funded program to reduce the spread of infectious disease through shared crack pipes was cancelled. A research project to determine the effectiveness of such programs was done and results will be shared in the coming months.
Programs
During the third quarter, the CHF completed its first annual program reviews with 21 agencies covering 37 programs. The process included formal site visits, staff interviews, reporting and data review, sample case file reviews, client interviews, observations and document reviews (policies, organization chart and staff job descriptions). CHF staff and program representatives discussed what works well and areas for improvement in the program and across the homeless-serving system. In the fourth quarter, the CHF will share with agencies the review results and provide feedback.
In September 2011, the CHF issued Request for Proposals (RFPs) for two streams of funding. Provincial funding through the Ministry of Human Services ($3 million dollars) was dedicated to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for chronically homeless singles and chronically homeless Aboriginal singles. Successful proponents are described below.
The second stream of funding was provided by the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development through the federal Homelessness Partnering Strategy. Funds were awarded to two types of projects: youth funding and capital projects.
The funding targeting youth programs aligns with the Youth Plan to assist youth who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness, focusing on those with high involvement in public systems (i.e. corrections, child intervention, health, etc.). The successful proponents and program for the $600,000 is below.
The RFP for capital focused on property acquisition, construction or renovations, and site improvements to support an end to homelessness and to serve people experiencing chronic homelessness and staying in emergency shelters a long time. The successful proponent to receive $1 million (which must be spent by March 31, 2012) is described below.
All three funding allocations were completed using a competitive RFP process that included Community Action Committee (CAC) representation. The CAC approved the federal youth and capital allocations.
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
The Mustard Seed's emergency shelter implemented HMIS during the quarter, with 70 staff trained and 370 beds configured for daily check-in and check-out. Given a successful implementation, other programs at the Mustard Seed implemented the HMIS to track service provision and case management activities.
The HMIS was implemented at Project Homeless Connect in November to track services required and received by guests.
Housing
During the third quarter, the CHF took possession of a property in Thorncliffe, comprising 17 units, and purchased a property in Connaught, which has 16 units. This adds 27 one-bedroom apartments and six two-bedroom apartments to the CHF's housing portfolio, for a total of 307 units. At the Thorncliffe building, tenants will be clients recovering from addictions and will be referred and supported by Fresh Start (Keys to Recovery). The building in Connaught will house chronically homeless veterans who will be referred and supported by Calgary Alpha House Society. The total project cost (including renovations) was $5.2 million, with $3.6 million provided by Municipal Affairs.
In the third quarter, HUA announced that the CHF was awarded $10.8 million in funding for an additional 100 units of housing for people experiencing homelessness in Calgary. Including the CHF's 307 current units and previously announced provincial grant funding, the CHF has provincial grants for a total of 590 units.
CHF continued to work on property renovations and upgrades. A competitive RFP process for renovations at properties in Cliff Bungalow and Thorncliffe was completed and renovations are underway. Effective vacancies at properties are 4.5%, with agencies moving tenants in as units are ready for occupancy.
Communications and Fund Development
During the third quarter, the CHF raised $525,877 in operating dollars for a total year-to-date of $834,471. The 2011 on November 8 raised a net total of $145,000, with over 500 people attending. Special thanks to Premier Alison Redford and sponsors, including platinum sponsor TransAlta.
Three concerts were held during the third quarter to benefit the CHF, including a concert at Symons Valley United Church, a choral concert at Lutheran Church of Our Savior and the Blue Christmas Concert. As well, Calgary B'nai Brith contributed $10,000 to the CHF through their 61st Annual Gentlemen's Dinner in December.
The Collaborative Capital Campaign is at the beginning stages of implementation. As part of this three-year fundraising effort, agencies are coming together to raise money for affordable housing in Calgary.
Nearly 900 Calgarians experiencing or at risk of homelessness received services and supports from 49 agencies at the 13th in November, which was relocated to the Atrium at City Hall.
The CHF hosted an as part of the 15th Homeless Awareness Week to raise awareness and garner support among faith leaders for ending homelessness in Calgary. The breakfast was sponsored by Tim and Susan Hearn and Brian and Anne O'Leary.
Governance
Mr. Les E. Stelmach, Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Bissett Investment Management, joined the Board of Directors during the third quarter.
Financials
Cash decreased $5.59 million during the third quarter ending December 31, 2011, compared with a decrease of $3.26 million in the same quarter in fiscal 2010/11 due to the use of provincial funds received in the second quarter for operations and project payments in the third quarter. Cash use was higher in the third quarter of fiscal 2011/12 compared with the same period in fiscal 2010/11 due to an increase in project payments. A cash decrease of $5.59 million during the third quarter ending December 31, 2011, compared with an increase of $18.58 million in the prior quarter. The balance was higher in the prior quarter due to the receipt of funds from the Government of Alberta for the fiscal 2011/12 Service Delivery Plan in the second quarter, which was partially used for project expenditures in the third quarter. Cash balances in the third quarter ending December 31, 2011 were $3.06 million higher compared with the same quarter in fiscal 2010/11 due to increased funding received from the province in fiscal 2011/12 compared with fiscal 2010/11.
Revenues generated during the third quarter ending December 31, 2011 increased $2.58 million compared with the same quarter in fiscal 2010/11 due to the receipt of funding to support the acquisition of two properties. Revenues generated during the third quarter ending December 31, 2011 decreased by $27.1 million compared with the prior quarter due to the receipt of all provincial project funding for fiscal 2011/12 in the second quarter. Expenses during the third quarter ending December 31, 2011 decreased by $80,000 compared with the same quarter in 2010 due to lower costs related to HMIS, professional fees and leasehold improvements in the third quarter of fiscal 2010/11, offset by higher real property operating costs and employee-related costs in the third quarter of fiscal 2011/12. Expenses during the third quarter ending December 31, 2011 decreased $3.65 million compared with the prior quarter due to significant project payments paid in the second quarter.
In the third quarter ending December 31, 2011, operating activities used $2.24 million of cash for CHF operations and quarterly project payments. In the same quarter, investing activities used $4.9 million due to the purchase of two properties. Financing activities during the same period generated $1.55 million due to entering into mortgages on three properties offset by partial repayment of the line of credit. This compares with the third quarter ending December 31, 2010, when operating activities used $3.38 million as a result of timing of revenue receipt and financing activities generated $118,000.
About the Calgary Homeless Foundation
Issued in January 2008, Calgary's 10 Year Plan was created by the Calgary Committee to End Homelessness, a community-based, multi-stakeholder, leadership group who selected the CHF to implement the 10 Year Plan. The CHF is moving forward on the 10 Year Plan in partnership with the many homeless-serving agencies, the private sector, government partners, the faith community, other foundations and all Calgarians. Visit .
Contacts:
Calgary Homeless Foundation
Andrea Ranson
403-718-8539
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Datum: 17.02.2012 - 10:20 Uhr
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