Streets to Homes Assessment and Referral Centre

International Partnership ConferenceWashington, DC

Phil Brown, City of TorontoMarch 2011

Outline1. Context: homelessness in

Toronto2. Why does Toronto have a

Streets to Homes Assessment and Referral Centre (SHARC)?

3. Services delivered from SHARC

4. Environmental features of SHARC

Staff engage with the first SHARC client on opening day, Oct. 2010

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Toronto’s homeless Street Needs Assessment, 2009Overall, homelessness about the same in Toronto compared to 2006Outdoor homelessness: 51% drop from 2006On April 15, 2009:

Estimated 5,086 homeless people outdoors, in shelters, health care and treatment facilities, in jail, and in VAW shelters

78% staying in emergency shelters8% sleeping outsideRemainder in health and treatment facilities, corrections and VAW shelters

9 out of 10 homeless people surveyed said they wanted permanent housing

Fadal, formerly street-involved, now housed through Streets to Homes

Streets to Homes

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9 out of 10 homeless people want permanent housingPermanent housing is the first step to helping homeless people address other challenges they may faceSupports and assistance in connecting to necessary programs and services after being housed is essential

Client enjoying her new home

Streets to Homes Started in 2005; small team working to house people

sleeping rough in Toronto Rules of the game: agree to have rent paid directly to

landlord; accept follow-up supports for at least a year; housing of client’s choice

Expanded in 2008 to include all those street-involved Annual budget 2011: $17.3 million; 102 FTE (includes

SHARC) 51% drop in outdoor homelessness 2009 vs 2006, direct

reflection of the success of the program: About 3,000 people housed to end of 2010; about 80% remain

in housing at 12 month mark

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Why SHARC Focus on downtown core Those remaining outside have extremely challenging

mental health and/or addiction issues Identified need for dedicated facility to meet the needs

of those who refuse other services Need to centralize specialized services under one roof Street outreach engagement tool where the need is:

assists workers in their persistent, assertive and friendly approach to street-involved clients continuing to refuse service

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SHARC Opened for business Oct. 28, 2010Converted nightclub in the city’s Entertainment District•Controversial purchase and renovation•Support from local business community critical success factor•Since opening day to Feb. 1:

•4,668 visits to the program•84 unique individuals admitted to the Transition to Housing beds•14 individuals supported to move into housing

Main floor before renovation

SHARC: in the heart of downtown

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SHARC Five services for Toronto’s most vulnerable:

24 hour street respiteWalk-in housing access serviceWalk-in referral to sheltersTransition to housing bedsLocal outreach services available to neighbouring businesses on demand

Main floor after renovation

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24-hour street respite Safe place to restEspecially welcoming in extreme weatherWashrooms, showers, laundry, snacksHealthcare for physical, mental health issuesContact opportunity for outreach and housing caseworkersPlace for outreach workers to take clientsStreet respite service can be pathway for other services at the SHARC—including housing

Critical part of engagement strategy—e.g., come in and dry a soaked sleeping bag; have a shower; get medical attention; stay in a transition to housing bed; make and follow a housing plan

Street respite area

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Walk-in housing access service Daily availability of housing counsellorsNo appointment necessarySpecialists in working with street-involved clientsHands-on assistance to develop and achieve housing plansAssessment, informal counselling, linkage and accompaniment to other needed servicesSpecialized housing services available for youth Working on a

housing plan

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Walk-in referral to shelters 8 pm until 7:30 am dailyPeople can walk in for referral to a shelter bed in the systemTransportation assistance available to the most appropriate shelter bed availableReferrals also available via toll-free 24 hour line to Central IntakeSHARC also operates a 24-hour telephone line

Clients get referral to shelter when they walk in for service

during the night

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Transition to housing beds 40 bedsReserved for Streets to Homes clients working on housing plans

Not part of the regular emergency shelter system

Meets the needs of those unable to thrive in the regular shelter system78% users are maleMost have been outside for a very long time84 unique individuals admitted to this program since opening

Client sleeping area in Transition to Beds program

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Local outreach services Respond to calls from neighbourhood businesses for local street outreachProvide social service response as an alternative to police interactionStrong support from local business communityEstablishing as a “good neighbour”

Panhandler outside coffee shop in Toronto’s busy Entertainment District

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Environmental features Renovated with a goal of reducing the environmental footprintResult: annual energy costs expected to be about 40% of the cost to operate a comparable buildingEstimated annual operating savings: $21,000A reduction of almost 1,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the 25-year theoretical life of the buildingEquivalent of removing eight cars a year from the road

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Among the green features Green roofLiving wallHigh efficiency heat recovery systemHigh efficiency HVAC system to further reduce energy consumptionUpgraded solar/natural; gas boiler to heat hot waterSolar collectorsKitchen exhaust fan controlLow-flow water fixtures and toilets; condensing water heater

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More green features High efficiency lighting and motion sensorsAdditional insulation: thermal-resistance of R-20Laminated windowsDrain water recoveryUpgraded drainsWater cistern: free rain water for rooftop plans, plus less run-off to sewersReclaimed and refinished hardwood on second and third floors

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“ City Council make a commitment to ending street homelessness by working with other orders of government, private sector landlords, such as the Greater Toronto Apartment Association, and community partners to implement an outreach-based and rent support-based Homelessness Strategy to assist homeless persons find permanent housing.”

February 2005

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Contact mePhil Brown

General ManagerShelter, Support and Housing Administration

City of Toronto416-392-7885

pbrown1@toronto.ca

www.toronto.ca/housingwww.toronto.ca/affordablehousing