Canadian Evaluation Society Vancouver - June 2003

National Homelessness Initiative:

Evaluation Findings and Policy Renewal

Sylvie Guibert and Catherine Massé

Human Resources Development Canada

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Presentation Overview

• The National Homelessness Initiative

• The NHI Evaluation: Methodology and Findings

• Impact of Findings and Policy Renewal

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The National Homelessness Initiative (NHI)

• With the NHI’s launch in December 1999, the Government recognized that a concerted federal response was needed to address this growing, visible social problem

• A unique community-focused approach was adopted to facilitate community action and ownership

• Addressing locally identified needs

Homelessness Initiative - $753 M Key Federal Players

Homelessness Initiative - $753 M Key Federal Players

Other (Planning, Research, etc.)$9 MOther (Planning, Research, etc.)$9 M

Supporting CommunitiesPartnership

Initiative (SCPI)$305 M

Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative

$10 M

Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative

$10 M

ResidentialRehabilitation

AssistanceProgram$268 M

Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS)$59 M

Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS)$59 M

Shelter Enhancement Program$43 M

Shelter Enhancement Program$43 M

Youth Homelessness Component

$59 M

Youth Homelessness Component

$59 M

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FederalDepartments &

Agencies

Working Together at the Local LevelWorking Together at the Local Level

Non - Profit Groups

Municipalities

PrivateSector

Provinces & Territories

CommunitiesCommunities

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Evaluation Approach

Timelines

• Evaluation conducted between Fall 2001 and Fall 2002

Scope

• HRDC components (SCPI, Youth, Aboriginal Homelessness, Research) + overall NHI coordination

• Implementation issues

• Early outcomes

Main method

• Case study approach (20 out of 61 SCPI communities)

Case selection

• Communities reflect variation among all SCPI communities

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Evaluation Approach (cont’d)

Sources of evidence for case studies

• Review of documents (community and project-level)

• Review of project-level data

• Key informant interviews

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Findings

Results on implementation

• HRDC components were coordinated, but more inter-departmental coordination is required

• SCPI provided an appropriate balance between flexibility and accountability

• Community planning is a valuable exercise

• Limited initial terms and conditions resulted in delays in allocating funds to Aboriginal and Youth projects

• Research results are still pending

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Findings (cont’d)

Results on early outcomes

• SCPI enhanced existing capacity in most communities

• HRDC funding built upon existing funding

• Funds were allocated to a wide variety of projects but work remains to address transitional needs

Success factors

• Community control over funding allocation

• Flexible terms and conditions

• Requirement for community planning

• HRDC regional and local staff

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Impact of Findings

The use of evaluation results

• Benchmark government and community progress

• Report back to stakeholders on local progress

• Identify “lessons learned” on community-based program delivery

• Inform policy and program renewal

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Renewed Program Policy

The findings of the evaluation were critical in

• Guiding the development of renewed program policy

• Determining roles and responsibilities of other federal departments in the NHI

• Contributing to the recently announced federal Budget allocation of $405 million for a three-year extension of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI)

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Extended NHI

The extended NHI, responding to evaluation findings, includes

• A stronger focus on transitional and supportive interventions, as well as prevention

• A requirement for demonstrated Youth and Aboriginal representation in community planning and decision-making

• The provision of strategic direction, clear guidelines and a streamlined template to help communities to update their community plans

• An extension of the Research and the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) components for an additional three years

• Clearer roles and responsibilities for senior management in federal departments and in the regions, ensuring a cohesive and coherent federal approach to addressing homelessness.

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The evaluation report will soon be available on the Internet at: http://www11.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/pls/edd/hrdc.main

For further information, contact:

Catherine Massé, Evaluation Manager

Evaluation & Data Development

Human Resources Development Canada

Section 3D, Phase IV, 140 Promenade du Portage

Gatineau (Hull), QC K1A 0J9

catherine.masse@hrdc-drhc.gc.ca

Tel : 819-953-8094 Fax : 819-953-7887

Sylvie Guibert, Manager, Business Planning and Evaluation

National Secretariat on Homelessness

Human Resources Development Canada

165 Hotel-de-Ville Street

Gatineau (Hull), QC K1A 0J9

sylvie.guibert@hrdc-drhc.gc.ca

Tel: 819-997-9917 Fax: 819-994-4211