Motions in Motion

CITY OF HAMILTON MOTION

Emergency & Community Services: February 6, 2017

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR S. MERULLA……………………………….

SECONDED BY MAYOR / COUNCILLOR…..………………..……………

WHEREAS ending chronic homelessness has been identified as a community priority in Hamilton and;

WHEREAS research has shown that Housing First is a proven housing intervention for addressing chronic homelessness and;

WHEREAS studies regarding Housing First interventions demonstrate that 80% - 85% of program participants remain housed after one year and;

WHEREAS the City of Hamilton has demonstrated success in reducing chronic homelessness through the use of Housing First strategies and;

WHEREAS in 2016 Hamilton exceeded our target by housing 200 chronically homeless individuals; and

WHEREAS 92% of these individuals have remained housed and;

WHEREAS in February 2016, Hamilton identified through our Point-in-Time Count approximately 350 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.

WHEREAS it is more cost effective to provide permanent housing to someone who is experiencing chronic homelessness than to manage their homelessness through emergency shelters or hospitals and;

WHEREAS studies show that savings come in the form of the foregone emergency, crisis or specialized services (hospitals, shelters, jails etc.) no longer utilized by people once they are housed and their lives are stable and;

WHEREAS the savings can range anywhere from $17,000 to $80,000 per person, per year if they are permanently housed and;

WHEREAS It is estimated that the average cost of housing an individual through Housing First interventions is $27,000 and;

WHEREAS the funding available to support Housing First services in the community falls short of what is required to fully address chronic homelessness in Hamilton and

Therefore be it resolved:

a) That the Mayor correspond with the Minister of Employment and Social Development Canada requesting the Government of Canada to adequately fund the City of Hamilton to deliver the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) program. The letter shall request an annual funding enhancement in the amount of $1M until March 31, 2019 which is over and above the $4,228,254 already being granted to the City to provide homelessness programs and services through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy; and,

b) That Mayor correspond with the Minister of Housing requesting the Government of Ontario to adequately fund the City of Hamilton as Service Manager to deliver the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) program. The letter shall request an annual funding enhancement in the amount of $3M which is over and above the $19,073,700 already being granted to the City to provide homelessness programs and services through the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative.