DNSSAB plan focuses on 'moving people off the street and into stable, independent housing'

A 12-month collaborative plan addressing homelessness in the district will involve partner agencies with a shared vision of goals, accountability, and outcomes, according to the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board.

The Board met Wednesday and approved the “Homelessness Action Plan in the Nipissing District,” a framework designed by the DNSSAB to set priorities and actions across the housing continuum that work with stabilizing individuals in absolute homelessness and emergency shelters to transitional and supportive housing so that they can then move on to more independent housing.

Over the next year, the Action Plan will focus on connecting homeless individuals with housing and health services and programs and proposes the development of an innovative and cost-effective transitional housing system of up to 61 units designed to provide shelter, supports and housing stability.

The proposed creation of transitional and supportive housing will provide supports for independent living through a suite of homelessness prevention programs and services. Advanced data collection and analysis of these priorities will track the progress of the plan to assist future DNSSAB decisions. Progress reports will be presented to DNSSAB on a quarterly basis.

See related: Local homeless count will be 'a snapshot of what homelessness looks like in the district’s communities'

DNSSAB Chair Mark King states, “This Action Plan takes a hard look at what is essential to moving people off the street and into stable, independent housing. For some, it may take some time while others, with fewer barriers, will reach independent living more quickly. This is a great plan that draws on many
existing community resources and partnerships.” 

And: Social services board members air frustrations over homelessness response

Many of the action items build on and complement the community progress and work that is already underway, including community mobile housing supports, household stabilization initiatives, and developing a coordinated housing access system.

See also: Campaign launched to combat homeless stigma

The framework draws from the Board’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, A Place to Call Home (2014-2024) with an emphasis on shelter diversion, improving housing stability, and increasing local housing options. The Action Plan also follows a report approved last month, “Homelessness Landscape in Nipissing District,” which highlighted the increase in local homelessness despite significant investments and planning efforts by DNSSAB and other community organizations.