In 2015, the Grande Prairie Five Year Plan to End Homelessness 2015-2019 was approved by City Council.
The plan was developed over a year-long process that included community consultations and surveys among populations who have lived experiences with homelessness. It provides a strategic framework for eliminating homelessness in Grande Prairie, including an accountability model for meeting goals.
The four main goal areas of the 2015- 2019 plan are:
- Increased infrastructure
- Strong, cohesive, integrated community partnerships
- Strengthened community resources
- Education and awareness
Year 1 Report Card
The first year of the 2015-2019 plan saw progress made in all four goal areas. Highlights of the successes include:
- 210 people housed
- 13 program graduates (participants who have maintained housing for at least 6 months)
- 93% of participants maintained their housing
- Development of a Designated Unit pilot of housing specific to Housing First participants
- 10 new landlords became part of Housing First’s network, bringing the total number to 40
- A Transitional Supportive Housing Pilot for individuals with complex needs began at Rotary House
- An ID Program was created to assist individuals experiencing homelessness to obtain and store identification
- A Housing First Specialist and Research and Evaluation Analyst were added to the Homeless Initiatives team
- Individuals experiencing homelessness were consulted for feedback and evaluation of multiple programs
Read more on the outcomes and accomplishments of the 2015-2016 year here.
Year 2 Report Card
Continued success was seen in the second year of the plan. Some key points are listed below:
- 147 individuals moved from homelessness into housing
- 42 program graduates
- 92% of retention rate of participants maintaining housing
- Increased infrastructure with 5 Designated Units (DUs) specific to the Housing First program, 12 Permanent Supported Housing (PSH) suites and availability of the City’s first Youth Transition House
- Formation of the Lived Experience Committee, a subcommittee of CABH, to discuss issues and supports directly with individuals who have experienced homelessness
- Hosting of the first annual Healing Hearts Memorial to recognize individuals that have been lost due to homelessness in the community
- Completion of the fifth Point in Time Count of homelessness
View more by reading the full report, available here.
Year 3 Report Card
2017-2018 included many highlights such as:
- Housing First
- 94 people housed
- 61 program graduates
- 92% retention rate
- 92% of participants demonstrated self-sufficiency via stable income within 6 months of entering the program
- 56% reduction in use of emergency medical services, 63% reduction in visits to the ER and 71% reduction in interactions with the police among participants after 6 months in program
- Grande Prairie’s Housing Loss Prevention program supported 207 people in stabilizing or improving their housing
- 7 youth received mentorship and support through a youth transition house
- ‘Voice for the Voiceless’ lived experience committee assisted with planning and analysis in addressing community needs
The full report is available here.
Year 4 Report Card
Highlights from the 2018/2019 year include:
- Housing First program
- 126 people housed
- 19 program graduates
- 82% retention rate
- 73% reduction in use of emergency medical services, 77% reduction in visits to the ER and 92% reduction in interactions with the police among participants after 6 months in program
- 201 people supported through Grande Prairie’s Housing Loss Prevention program to stabilize or improve their housing
- 8 youth received mentorship and support through a youth transition house
View the full report here.
