Homelessness

Housing is the cornerstone of any community, providing shelter for households, establishing a foundation for realizing peoples’ potential, and enabling their participation in society and the economy. Planning for and anticipating future requirements can help better address Abbotsford’s needs as they evolve over time and help to reduce the risk of homelessness in our community.

Abbotsford City Council’s Task Force on Homelessness has developed a plan with the goal of ensuring that everyone in Abbotsford has a home. While the importance of having emergency supports in place for people who have become homeless is understood, the focus of this plan is to also create conditions that prevent homelessness and quickly support those who have become homeless to again have a home. 

In order to achieve this intention, the Task Force on Homelessness developed five strategic directions to guide the Homelessness Action Plan. With these strategic directions and principles in mind, the Task Force further developed recommended priority actions under each strategic direction. It is understood that the City of Abbotsford may not necessarily be the organization that takes the lead on the implementation of all of these actions, but that the City will work with BC Housing, Fraser Health Authority and service provider organizations to ensure each of these recommendations is addressed.

• Direction 1 - Facilitate housing first, but not housing only;
• Direction 2 - Advocate for housing and wrap-around support;
• Direction 3 - Initiate a prevention program;
• Direction 4 - Create a culture of inclusiveness and respect;
• Direction 5 - Foster collaboration between agencies, community and government

See the Homelessness Action Plan for full details on the Strategic Directions

The Homelessness Action Plan builds on important community initiatives, promotes collaboration around new ideas and proposes immediate actions to address some of the recognized issues. In addressing these challenges, it is recognized that there is a need for a multi-jurisdictional approach (i.e. Federal, Provincial, Fraser Health Authority, and various service providers) to support a “grass-roots” response to the issue.

The end of homelessness is a collective effort and requires partnerships with all levels of government and with the private, non-profit, faith-based, education and research organizations and countless volunteers, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Through partnership and collaboration, it is believed the priority actions and recommendations will positively affect housing and service outcomes across the housing spectrum for vulnerable citizens in Abbotsford.

Homelessness Road Map Workshop - May 18th 2016

Building on the years of collaborative work by Abbotsford service providers, outreach workers, and local organizations to support vulnerable individuals, City of Abbotsford retained the services of The Integral Strategy Network to facilitate a series of workshops and interviews with local stakeholders to create a Collaborative Roadmap for the Prevention of and Response to Homelessness in Abbotsford. The Integral Strategy is designed specifically to address complex challenges that require multiple stakeholders to align their efforts. The Roadmap serves as a Homelessness in Abbotsford Action Plan implementation tool; which, facilitates priority action setting, shared outcomes and a holistic approach to respond to and prevent homelessness. Eleven (11) key capability areas have been identified, which will support continued collaborative stakeholder engagement and action. Generating a well-coordinated, high-functioning and sustainable prevention and response system, will support Abbotsford to be a socially and economically vibrant community. Please contact City Hall for more information about the process or opportunities for participation.

• Homelessness Road Map Workshop Session 1
• Homelessness Road Map Workshop Session 2
• Homelessness Road Map Workshop Session 3 - Testimonials
• Homelessness Road Map Workshop Session 4
• Homelessness Road Map Workshop Conclusion
• A Collaborative Roadmap for the Prevention of and Response to Homelessness in Abbotsford - Diagram
• Abbotsford Homelessness Strategy Roadmap - A Collaborative Roadmap for the Prevention of and Response to Homelessness in Abbotsford 

The mandate of the Homelessness Action Advisory Committee is to address homelessness and related issues in the community and to provide advice to Council on policy and matters relating to homelessness in Abbotsford.  The committee achieves this through:

1. Overseeing the implementation of the City of Abbotsford Homelessness Action Plan;
2. Assisting in the identification and prioritization of homelessness and related social needs in Abbotsford;
3. Supporting, promoting, and undertaking initiatives to address homelessness in the City;
4. Providing a forum to engage stakeholders on homelessness issues in the City;
5. Exploring opportunities for funding and other partnerships to address homelessness issues; 
6. Considering any other related matter as determined by Council.

• View the update to Council on actions to date as of August 2018
• View the update to Council on actions to date as of December 2016.

The City of Abbotsford uses an infrastructure approach to respond to the physical, social and community needs to those who are vulnerable in our community.  View the Costs of Homelessness Graphic* to see the actual costs of housing someone who is homeless.

*Source: The Real Cost of Homelessness, Stephen Gaetz

The Coordinated Intake and Referral System (CIR) is a 3 year federally funded project. Using best practices from other cities, the CIR is working with social support agencies in Abbotsford allowing the city to improve its ability to better serve the needs of homeless individuals. Overall, the results of the project will provide a sustainable foundation on which Abbotsford can launch a Housing First approach and provide a useful template for other similar-sized cities to do the same.

The CIR System is co-developed by the City of Abbotsford in partnership with BC Housing, the Fraser Health Authority, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and includes Seven Memorandum of Understanding partners: Raven's Moon Resource Society, Salvation Army, Abbotsford Community Services, SARA for Women, Look Out Society, Positive Living Fraser Valley, and Cyrus Centre. 

The CIR System has three streams of service delivery:

• Prevention and Diversion from Homelessness;
• Accommodation and Support to access housing and services; and
• Emergency Response. 

Since its implementation launch on September 1, 2017, the system has received and responded to over 300 referrals of individuals into the system.​

• The CIR System is overseen by the Intake Function, which is resourced with an Intake Function Coordinator and Housing Placement Liaison Worker, who both work as part of the Inter-Agency Care Team.
• Individuals or agencies can refer into the Abbotsford Coordinated Intake and Referral model for assistance and access to housing, health services, income assistance and community integration supports.
• The Intake Function has been made possible by $95,000 in contribution funding from PGNAETA through the Government of Canada's Homelessness Partnering Strategy’s Rural and Remote Homelessness funding stream.

Contact: cir@abbotsford.ca or sforbes@abbotsford.ca
Phone: 604-855-8322

FINAL REPORTS:

Many Ways To Home - CIR Research Project Report - ENGLISH

Many Ways To Home - CIR Research Project Report - FRENCH

APPENDICES:

Related Reports:

The Inter-Agency Care Team is comprised of a Fraser Health Authority Outreach-Based Medical Services Team, an Intake Coordinator and Housing Placement Liaison Worker (funded by the Government of Canada's Homelessness Partnering Strategy’s Rural and Remote Homelessness funding stream) and accesses inter-agency resources from BC Housing and local housing and service providers to support individuals who have barriers in accessing traditional services, who are experiencing persistent addictions, and may have mental health challenges. 

The Inter-Agency Care Team is mobile and works collaboratively with local service providers with touchpoints at the Abbotsford Community Hub Centre, Fraser Health Authority-Mental Health and Substance Use Services (Assertive Community Treatment) office, and Abbotsford City Hall.  The team also works alongside the Refresh Mobile Showers, which is a mobile shower unit that provides access to hot showers to those who are in need. View the Broadview.org article from January 24, 2020 regarding the Refresh Mobile Showers.

Contact: cir@abbotsford.ca or sforbes@abbotsford.ca

Funded in part by PGNAETA through the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy’s Rural and Remote Homelessness funding stream, Fraser Health Authority, The City of Abbotsford and BC Housing.

In 2015, the City of Abbotsford advocated for and implemented an Assertive Community Treatment team for individuals with acute mental health conditions who require enhanced Ministry of Social Development Integration and Outreach support. The Assertive Community Treatment team is funded by the Fraser Health Authority.

Inquiries can be made directly to Abbotsford Mental Health and Substance Use Services.

Contact:
11-32700 George Ferguson Way
Abbotsford, BC V2T 4V6
Phone: 604-870-7800
Fraser Health Authority 

The Community Hub is a partnership project with the Fraser Health Authority, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Abbotsford Police Department, Positive Living of the Fraser Valley, and partners with the City of Abbotsford’s Housing and Homelessness Unit, and the Mar Mar Pharmacy.

Services include:

• Healthcare
• Housing opportunities
• Laundry, showers and meal services
• Employment and training opportunities
• Access to community services
• Social connections and volunteer opportunities 

Contact:

Sharon Forbes at 604-751-0842 or 604-855-8322

Abbotsford’s Shelter System capacity has increased from 26 year round beds to 66 year round beds on City-owned land and in the community with BC Housing and local service provider support. 

The Extreme Weather mat program has increased from 26 mats to approximately 126 mats, along with transportation and outreach support services. 

• BC Housing is the core funder for the year-round, extreme weather and heat shelter program. Salvation Army funds additional beds and Cyrus Centre funds the youth beds.
  • Riverside (shelter system and extreme weather)
  • Salvation Army (shelter system and extreme weather)
  • SARA for Women - Warm Zone (extreme weather)
  • Gateway Church (extreme weather)
  • Mennonite Central Committee - 5 & 2 Ministries  (Older Adult Cold Weather Shelter - November 2017 to March 2018)
  • Cyrus Centre (Youth shelter)

The number of extreme and cold weather shelter spaces and locations may vary from year to year.

Local and regional experts as well as Housing First practitioners explored best practices and proactive directions to support collective action.  

The forum included:

• Housing First Best practice panel of experts
• World café dialogue
• Keynote presentation note presentation on collective impact

Mayor Henry Braun and Councillor Dave Loewen - Chair of the Homelessness Advisory Action Committee - City of Abbotsford

Housing First Principles (5 Principles of Housing First)
Landlord Procurement and Intensive Case Management 
Laura Caron, Director of Clinical Services, RainCity Housing and Support Society

• View the workbook and facilitators guide referred to by the presenter and individual videos on each of the 5 housing first principles: 
• A future workshop is being consideration on the topic of Intensive Case Management.  
• Resource videos are available on the Rain City Website 

Role of Outreach and Shelters in Housing First Approach
Wes Everaars, Director of Development and Jodi Sturge, Deputy Director, Lookout Society

• Following the panel, the audience participated in a world café. View the findings document for the world café

Alice Sundberg, Housing and Community Development Consultant

• View the article referenced by the presenter in the video regarding collective impact 
• The I Heart Home video feature on the Calgary Homelessness Foundation was also played as part of the presentation material.

Video of artwork by grade 2 and 3 students of Abbotsford Christian Elementary School, in answer to the question: how to help people who don't have a home.

As part of the Action Plan, The Integral Strategy Network facilitated a series of workshops and interviews with local stakeholders to create a Collaborative Road map for the Prevention of and Response to Homelessness in Abbotsford.

The Integral Strategy is designed specifically to address complex challenges that require multiple stakeholders to align their efforts. The Road map serves as a Homelessness in Abbotsford Action Plan implementation tool; which, facilitates priority action setting, shared outcomes and a holistic approach to respond to and prevent homelessness. 

View the Collaborative Road Map 

Living Homeless: Abbotsford 2018 Homelessness Survey - Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations