FORT FRANCES—Although it doesn’t seem like there is a problem with homelessness in the area, the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board was updated on the Consolidated Homelessness Prevention Program at its meeting last Thursday night.
Formerly known as the Provincial Homelessness Fund, the Ministry of Community and Social Services initiative provides 100 percent funding to municipalities and DSSABs to support the development of new approaches to addressing homelessness in their communities.
“Homelessness here is not that visible, but we do have it,” stressed Kim Gardiman, Children’s Services manager with the local DSSAB, who offered the presentation along with Integrated Intake Worker Tracy McClain.
Gardiman explained there are people in the community who are “couch surfers” (i.e., sleeping on couches at friends’ and families’ homes until the wear out their welcome).
And she added there also are people who have received eviction notices and have bills in arrears.
“So there is a need for a program like this,” she noted.
In 2006, for instances, 93 households in the district were at an imminent risk while 1,053 households were at risk of homelessness—meaning they have been accessing food banks and soup kitchens.
Gardiman indicated there are three clear goals set out by the homelessness prevention program:
•to improve access to, and connect households that are homeless with, the system of community services;
•to support households experiencing homelessness to obtain and keep
longer-term housing; and
•to assist households at-risk of homelessness to retain housing.
A total of $64,801 in funding was approved for the allocation of the 2007 plan, with money being provided to organizations that offer services to clients, including the local Salvation Army, the United Native Friendship Centre, the Westend Food Bank, the Atikokan General Hospital, and an advocacy fund.
“We take into consideration the needs of the district and consult with different groups,” Gardiman noted, saying organizations like the local food banks, OPP, UNFC, Family and Children Services, and various other committees are resources for the Consolidated Homelessness Prevention Program.
In addition, she said there’s a Prevention of Homelessness Fund, which provides advocacy and emergency support like assisting with utility payments and offering referrals.
“We provide this support and advocacy so they don’t see themselves in a situation like it again,” Gardiman remarked. “It’s a huge part of the program that they are only able to access it once.”
McClain said she keeps a running list to ensure those applying for the Consolidated Homelessness Prevention Program haven’t accessed it before and that all their resources have been exhausted.
“The homelessness program is a last resort,” she stressed.
McClain noted some of the resources they suggest to clients before accessing the homelessness program are budgeting classes through the UNFC, the Emergency Energy Fund, and perhaps aiding to find more affordable housing for them.
She added clients who choose to apply for the homelessness program must provide a variety of information, such as about their employment, dependents, rent, and income.
A utilization co-ordinator at Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc. makes an objective decision regarding the approval or denial. McClain said it usually takes just a few days to have an answer to the clients.
“I’m really proud of the program, and it has supported many families from Rainy River to Atikokan,” she remarked.
Also at last Thursday’s regular meeting, the local DSSAB:
•answered a number of questions previously submitted by La Vallee Coun. Jim Belluz;
•passed a resolution to support the Transitional Housing Study; and
•agreed to forego the regular December meeting as it would fall too close to Christmas, but would call a meeting if there were issues needing to be addressed immediately.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
