Niagara Region taking a big step toward addressing the issue of homelessness locally
Niagara Region is taking a big step toward addressing the issue of homelessness locally.
Built for Zero Canada, a national campaign to work toward an end to long-term, complex homelessness, has recognized Niagara Region for meeting all the requirements needed to achieve a Quality By-Name List. A By-Name List provides up-to-date information on people experiencing homelessness across the region.
This list provides data on clients to support coordinated access to housing resources available through providers in Niagara’s Homeless-Serving System, as well as system-level information such as the number of people actively experiencing chronic homelessness. Reliable, real-time data helps monitor trends, inform system improvements, and assist Niagara Region when advocating for vital resources.Niagara is the 22nd community in Canada to reach this milestone and is considered a leader in the journey to end chronic homelessness in Canada. The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) has set a goal of having 50 Canadian communities realize a Quality By-Name List by March 2023, in recognition that data-driven decision-making is essential in this pursuit.
To accomplish this milestone, Niagara Region completed several tasks including developing the By-Name List in partnership with service providers across the region; achieving a 10/10 on the CAEH By-Name List Scorecard, which outlines key components of a list; and providing three consecutive months of By-Name List aggregate data to certify the list’s reliability.
Niagara Region is now moving into the Reduce Cohort phase of the Built for Zero initiative where it will use By-Name List data to test innovative projects targeted to reducing chronic homelessness, pivoting to client needs and system-level trends.
Quotes
"I want to congratulate Niagara Region staff and our community partners for achieving a Quality By-Name List. This is an important milestone as we continue to work toward addressing chronic homelessness in our community. By knowing who is experiencing chronic homelessness we are able to better provide programs and supports for people in need."
~ Jim Bradley, Regional Chair
"As one of only 22 communities in Canada to earn the designation of having a Quality By-Name List as part of the Canadian Built For Zero project to end chronic homelessness, Niagara is clearly focused on addressing homelessness in our communities. This important milestone puts us on a clear path towards ending chronic homelessness. Congratulations to everyone involved who has contributed to the success of this project to date."
~ Walter Sendzik, Mayor of St. Catharines
Contact
Peter Criscione
Niagara Region
905-980-6000 ext. 3747
peter.criscione@niagararegion.ca
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