Housing Supports Forum 2024 Summary 

The Housing Supports Forum ran June 12 to 14, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, hosted by Homeward Trust Edmonton and sponsored by 7 Cities.

Since 2001, Alberta’s 7 Cities on Housing and Homelessness (7 Cities) has been working to achieve the shared goal of ending homelessness across our province. These 7 cities include the following groups: Calgary Homeless Foundation​, City of Grande Prairie, City of Lethbridge​, Homeward Trust Edmonton, Medicine Hat Community Housing Society​, City of Red Deer, and Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo​.
 
The Housing Supports Forum provides an opportunity for the sector to come together to promote collaboration and innovation within the homeless-serving sector.

Read the Housing Supports Forum 2024 Summary below. Here is a recap of some of the forum sessions: 

Day One: Wednesday, Jun 12, 2024 – A Focus on Collaboration and Community. 

Quality Improvement Technical Training, Built For Zero

Speakers:  
Marie Morrison (Built for Zero, CAEH)  
Lori Richer (Bult for Zero, CAEH) 

Speakers Marie Morrison and Lori Richer led a session focusing on Edmonton’s adoption of the Built for Zero (BFZ) strategy, spearheaded by the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH). The BFZ initiative aims to tackle chronic and veteran homelessness through collaborative community efforts. During this training, Built for Zero emphasized the importance of change management and quality improvement approaches, focusing on the tools and discipline needed for success. Participants, including program practitioners and leaders, learned how to implement the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) approach in their work.  

Day Two: Thursday, June 13, 2024 – Panels, Panels, Panels and More Panels! 

Navigation And Support Centre, Government Of Alberta, and Seniors, Community And Social Services (SCSS)

Speakers:  
Robyn Cochrane (Executive Director, Seniors, Community And Social Services (SCSS)) 
Christa Gilroy (Manager, Seniors, Community And Social Services (SCSS)) 

The Navigation and Supports Centre exemplifies an initiative-taking approach to addressing homelessness through integrated services and community collaboration while highlighting persistent challenges and necessary improvements within homelessness support frameworks. Christa Gilroy and Robyn Cochrane discussed the Edmonton Encampment Navigation Support Centre, which provided essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness, such as shelter navigation and medical support. The government of Alberta highlighted the center’s partnerships with organizations like Hope Mission and Alberta Health Services (AHS) Mental Health and Addictions.

Bridge Housing Panel: Role & Place Within Homeless Serving System, NiGiNan Housing Venutres, Boyle Street Community Services and Homeward Trust Edmonton

Speakers:  
Jake Ramer (Homeward Trust – Jockey Dorms)  
Beth Muller (Boyle St Community Serviced – Sandy’s Place)  
Tiana Machado (NiGiNan Housing Ventured – Pimatsiwin)  
 
The Bridge Housing Panel explored temporary accommodation solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness, featuring programs like Sandy’s Place, Jockey Dorms,  and Pimatsiwin. The session discussed the role of bridge housing in providing stability and support while individuals transition to permanent housing solutions. Discussions highlighted the importance of cultural support, referral processes, and operational funding in bridge housing models.  

Measuring Housing Insecurity, Rural Development Network

Speakers: 
Lisa Belanger (CEO, Rural Development Network) 
Linda Bernicki (Director of Community Development and Indigenous Engagement, Rural Development Network) 
Sydney Steneked (Director of Homelessness Initiatives, Rural Development Network) 

This session, hosted by the Rural Development Network, focused on measuring housing insecurity, particularly in rural Alberta. The speakers discussed various methodologies and initiatives to address the housing and homelessness crisis. They highlighted the challenges faced in implementing the Point-in-Time (PiT) methodology, especially in rural areas where homelessness is less visible but equally pressing.  

Evolving Responsibilities & Expectations in Governance of System Planning Organizations, Homeward Trust Edmonton

Speakers:  
Susan McGee (CEO, Homeward Trust Edmonton) 

The session, led by Susan McGee, the CEO of Homeward Trust Edmonton, focused on the evolving responsibilities and expectations in the governance of system planning organizations. The session offered valuable insights into the complexities of governance within these organizations and highlighted the need for continued adaptation to meet the evolving needs of communities in Alberta. 

Recruitment Engagement with Landlords, Leston Holdings, and Homeward Trust Edmonton

Speakers: 
Lynsey Masson (Leston Holdings, Edmonton) 
Kayla Ross (Leston Holdings, Edmonton)  
Jim Fowler (Homeward Trust Edmonton) 
Cam Branson (Homeward Trust Edmonton) 

The Homeward Trust Edmonton Landlord Relations Team hosted an interactive discussion with Edmonton area landlords to improve landlord engagement and gather tips for supporting tenants. The session emphasized realistic timelines, effective communication, and dispelling myths associated with program-supported tenants.  

Healthcare Panel – Approached Within Homeless-Service Providers, The Alex Community Health Centre, Calgary, Street Connect, Red Deer, and Bridge Healing Jasper Place Wellness Centre

Speakers:  
Steve Richardson (The Alex Community Health Centre, Calgary) 
Amanda Chamberlain (Street Connect, Red Deer) 
Chantel Jackson (Bridge Healing Jasper Place Wellness Centre (JPWC)) 

The healthcare panel described healthcare connections and service pathways for people at risk of, experiencing, or with recent experience of homelessness. Sessions provided a practical lens to ease connections to healthcare services, contrasted medical case management vs. Housing case management, and decided the most suitable housing programs and facilities for individuals with ongoing medical needs.  

Engagement & Leadership in a Municipal Context, Canadian Mental Health Association, The City Of Red Deer, And Lived Expertise Committee

Speakers:  
Tammy Rogers (Housing Engagement Coordinator, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)) 
Abe Bavelaar (Chair of the Lived Experience Council) 
Jodi Kelloway (The City of Red Deer) 

This joint presentation of the Lived Experience Council, the city of Red Deer, and the Canadian Mental Health Administration highlights the collaborative work and progress made by engaging lived ability in municipal and community contexts. Historically, there was limited coordination in involving LE beyond specific projects. Red Deer developed a plan to remedy this, including funding and contracting individuals with established community relationships. A significant step was the creation of a Request for Proposal (RFP) outlining guidelines, processes, and recruitment strategies, ensuring LE had a meaningful voice in city governance. 

Action Research on Chronic Homelessness (ARCH), Homeward Trust Edmonton and The Medicine Hat Community Housing Society

Speakers: 
Jaime Rogers (Medicine Hat Community Housing Society) 
Kerri Sandford (Medicine Hat Community Housing Society) 

This informative session updated the Action Research on Chronic Homelessness (ARCH) program. It will offer valuable insights and update you on the program’s progress and impact. 

Mental Health Allyship, Canadian Mental Health Association

Speakers:  
Jeremy Livingston (Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)) 
Lance Freitas (Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA))  

During the Mental Health Allyship session, diverse topics related to mental health allyship were covered, including stigma, the distinction between mental health and mental illness, and the recovery-oriented approach. The session emphasized the importance of allyship in promoting supportive and inclusive practices in communities and service sectors. Strategies for promoting recovery-oriented mental health practices, addressing stigma, and collaborating with diverse communities were presented, advocating for the transformation of services towards a recovery-oriented model. 

Supportive Housing Panel – Lessons Learned and New Approaches, Homeward Trust Edmonton And Native Counselling Services Of Alberta (NSCA)

Speakers:  
Jeff Walker (Homeward Trust Edmonton) 
Crystal Thompson-Kootenay (Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NSCA)) 
Blake Jackman (Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NSCA)) 

The panel discussed “Lessons Learned and New Approaches for Supportive Housing.” Homeward Trust Edmonton hosted the event, featuring speakers from Homeward Trust Edmonton and Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NSCA). The panel shared insights and experiences about supportive housing and explored innovative approaches to address housing challenges. They also discussed safety, resident rights, and community engagement within supportive housing frameworks, emphasizing a person-centred approach to housing stability. 

Canadian Shelter Transformation Network, Calgary Drop-In Shelter

Speakers:  
Sandra Clarkson (Calgary Drop-In Shelter) 

This information session is dedicated to the Canadian Shelter Transformation Network and establishing a Community of Practice based in Alberta. At the 2024 Housing Supports Forum, the session featured a focused initiative led by Sandra Clarkson from the Calgary Drop-In Centre. The initiative aims to convert shelters in Alberta into housing-focused facilities, with the primary goal of speeding up the transition of individuals from shelters to permanent housing. They are looking for five pilot sites across the province to kick-start this transformation. Bottom of Form 

Kawegehanowak (Together We Will House Them), Lived Expertise Committee

Speakers:  
Pamela Spurvey (Lived Expertise Committee Member) 
Rosemary Fayant (Lived Expertise Committee Member) 
Lori McDermott (Lived Expertise Committee Member)  

This session discussed housing program principles through lived experience. The speakers, Pamela Spurvey, Rosemary Fayant, and Lori McDermott, shared their expertise and discussed various housing support strategies and challenges. Their perspectives offered a deep understanding of housing issues and the importance of lived experience in informing effective support systems. 

Day Three: Building Hope and Empowering Voices 

Hope Building 101, Canadian Mental Health Association

Speakers:  
Amanda De Boer (Recovery Facilitator for Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton’s Recovery College) 
Jay Forcier (Recovery Facilitator for Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton’s Recovery College) 

At Hope Building 101, hosted by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Amanda De Boer and Jay Forcier, Recovery Facilitators, presented valuable insights into the importance of hope in collaborating with clients and demonstrated a purposeful technique for gently challenging those who feel hopeless or helpless. 

Building A Diverse Housing Continuum, Housing, And Homeless Initiatives Grande Prarie

Speakers:  
Wendy Hughes (Director of Housing and Homeless Initiative (HHI)) 
Samantha Chippeway (Housing Operation Lead Housing and Homeless Initiative (HHI)) 
Ashley Saunders (Housing Coordinator Housing and Homeless Initiative (HHI)) 

In the session, speakers discussed creating a diverse housing continuum tailored to the community’s needs while addressing homelessness. This presentation highlights the concept of building multiple housing options within the continuum tailored to the community’s varying needs while addressing homelessness.  

Storytelling, Lived Expertise Committee

Speakers:  
Pamela Spurvey (Lived Experience Committee, Homeward Trust) 
Lori McDermott (Lived Experience Committee, Homeward Trust)  

The speakers shared powerful stories of multigenerational trauma and recovery journeys. They emphasized the importance of holistic support and community collaboration in overcoming barriers to wellness. This session will focus on storytelling from a lived experience perspective. For example, the speakers will discuss how taking ownership of personal stories can lead to meaningful change. They will draw from their journeys, from experiencing homelessness to their present day. They highlighted the significance of collaborative support systems and compensating individuals for sharing their stories to bring about generational change toward wellness. 

Youth Agency Collaborative, Youth Empowerment & Support Services 

Speakers:  
Margo Long (Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS)) 

Margo Long presented the Youth Agency Collaboration strategy for Edmonton, emphasizing coordinated care, trauma-informed approaches, and community-based services to support youth experiencing homelessness. 

The session focused on the Youth Agency Collaboration (YAC) strategy in Edmonton, which addresses challenges youth agencies face, such as competition for funding and poor data sharing. Margo Long from YESS proposed a collaborative approach to youth services, emphasizing shared outcomes, coordinated care, and trauma-informed practices. The strategy included establishing 24/7 intervention centers and community youth support centers, aiming to replace shelters with housing and create a comprehensive network of youth services. 

Recovery Oriented Serviced in the Homeless Serving Sector, George Spady Society  

Speakers:  
Lindy Dowhaniuk (George Spady Society, Edmonton) 
Renee Iverson (George Spady Society, Edmonton) 

The speakers highlighted the critical connections between the Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC) and the homeless-serving sector during the presentation. They discussed the various entry points into ROSC, explained how housing teams could support individuals before, during, and after treatment, and detailed how the process of building Recovery Capital was related to the homeless-serving sector. 

Building Your Data Capabilities, Calgary Homeless Foundation And Homeward Trust Edmonton 

Speakers:  
Sam Elliot (Calgary Homeless Foundation) 
Dr. Tyler Roberts (Homeward Trust) 

The session, presented by Sam Elliot from the Calgary Homeless Foundation and Dr. Tyler Roberts from Homeward Trust, focused on developing and expanding data capabilities over time. It addressed shared challenges encountered by organizations and provided a systematic approach to resolving them. The session emphasized building tools and processes that could be scaled horizontally across various data domains. 

Empathy Building Project, Lana Michelin  

Speakers:  
Lana Michelin (Red Deer Artist, Journalist and Writer) 

Lana Michelin showcased her art series “Being Human: Portraits on Homelessness” at the 2024 Housing Supports Forum. The Being Human portrait exhibit urges viewers to consider individuals often overlooked on the streets. Understanding their challenges brings us closer to fostering empathy. It is through knowledge that we may find compassion. Michelin interacted with shelter residents over three visits, explaining the project and encouraging participation. The exhibition is held at the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery until August 10th, 2024. 

Looking Forward to Future Years 

The Housing Supports Forum 2024 served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among stakeholders and partnerships dedicated to ending homelessness in Alberta.