Community Plan - Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and ...

A CHANCE TO PROSPER AND PARTICIPATE CORNER BROOK COMMUNITY PLAN FOR HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

Prepared by: Bobbie Boland, MSW (Project Lead) Alison Earle, MA Melody Morton Ninomiya, MEd May 2009

Corner Brook Community Plan for Housing and Homelessness 2009

Corner Brook Community Plan for Housing and Homelessness, 2009

Acknowledgements The preparation of a Community Plan requires the cooperation and collaboration of many. Community partners, community citizens, and government departments/agencies have all been extremely generous with their time, assistance and data. In particular, we gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Sean Kilpatrick at Newfoundland and Labrador Housing (NLH), Jim Warren with Human Resources Labour and Employment and Dawn Jordan with Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency who provided statistical data from their respective organizations. The members of the Community Plan Advisory Committee provided invaluable assistance in data gathering and assistance to the team and respondents.

2 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


Executive Summary The reality of homelessness was identified as a concern across Canada in the late 1990’s. The economy, de-institutionalization of many individuals who live with mental illness and the lack of both community-based supportive services and adequate social housing all contributed to a serious and growing problem. The federal government reengaged with the issue of housing and the social housing sector in 2000. As a result, a series of successive initiatives have focused on supporting communities to work collaboratively to address housing and homeless needs in their communities. The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is third generation housing funding and replaces the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), which expired on March 31, 2007. The focus is on a "housing first" approach to homelessness, is designed to put in place structures and supports needed to move homeless and at-risk individuals towards selfsufficiency and full participation in Canadian society1. The five pillars of the HPS are as follows2: 1. Prevent and reduce homelessness. 2. Ensure tangible and direct responses to client needs and measurable outcomes for clients. 3. Engage provincial/ territorial and other government departments as well as communities. 4. Support preventative and longer term housing solutions. 5. Strengthen accountability and measurement. Service Canada announced that the federal government confirmed $1.9B over 5 years (2009-2013) for renewing existing housing and homelessness investments (Homelessness Partnering Strategy, Affordable Housing Initiative, Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program). Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS), in its current form, is also renewed for two years ($269.6M). In two years, the federal government has hinted that it may amend the program (Cabinet has nonetheless approved a further $404.4M for homelessness between 2011-2013, as part of the $1.9B package noted above). In the meantime, the HPS allocation for Newfoundland and Labrador’s Outreach Communities (communities outside St. John’s) are $540,000 per year (2009 and 2010), for a total of approximately $1.1M. Presumably, the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) and Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) are also being renewed for five years based on existing funding formulas and will continue to be administered in this province by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing (NLH)3. The federal HPS provided funds to the Community Planning Advisory Committee (CPAC) to write a Community Plan on Housing and Homelessness for Corner Brook. The CPAC, through the Community Plan, will set priorities that meet the most pressing 1

Human Resources and Social Development Canada, The Homeless Partnering Strategy: Partnerships that Work, 2008 < http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/homelessness/index.shtml>. 2 Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Community Plan 2009-2011: Homelessness Partnering Strategy Reference Guide. 3 Written communication with Bruce Pearce, Community Development Coordinator, St. John’s Housing and Homelessness Committee. 3 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


housing needs for the most vulnerable populations in Corner Brook. The Community Plan is the blueprint for plans to reduce and eliminate homelessness and the risk of homelessness. It is anticipated that some funding resources to meet the priorities will come from the two-year HPS funding commitment to Outreach Communities. Homelessness has many faces and is defined under the HPS as follows4: Those at risk of homelessness are individuals or families who are at imminent risk of eviction from their current housing, who pay too high a proportion of their income for housing or who live in unacceptable housing or housing circumstances. Also included are those who are discharged from the criminal justice system, those who are leaving a health facility after an extended stay, as well as youth exiting the child welfare system who do not have suitable housing in place prior to their discharge. The hidden homeless population includes individuals or families living in locations not intended for human habitation (e.g. abandoned buildings) and/or continuously moving among temporary housing arrangements provided by strangers, friends or family. The living on the street population refers to individuals or families who, because of a lack of secured housing, live on the street. The short term or crisis sheltered population refers to individuals or families staying temporarily in emergency and/or transitional housing. This category also includes the episodically sheltered sub-population. Episodically sheltered refers to the families and individuals who access shelters multiple times through the year, seeking assistance, but who are not necessarily able or ready to form the long-term connections necessary to move to housing stability (this inability could be due to a number of reasons, including longer duration accessibility of the sheltering facilities, lifestyle choices, etc.). KEY POINTS While the population of Corner Brook is declining and aging, the number of actual dwelling houses is increasing as are the number of single person households. There are a number of indicators of the state of housing and homelessness in a community. The following table contains information intended to give a recent (2008) snapshot picture of the state of housing in Corner Brook.

4

Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Community Plan 2009-2011: Homelessness Partnering Strategy Reference Guide. 4

Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


Table 1: Homelessness Indicators for Corner Brook5 (2008 data unless indicated otherwise) Description Population of Corner Brook6 Emergency Shelters Number of Women Housed at Transition House7 Children Single Women Families Turn-Aways (do not fit mandate) Salvation Army Emergency Housing8 Number of Non-Profit Housing Units Number of Provincially Subsidized Units (private dwellings) Number of New Affordable Housing Units Opened Rental/Apartment Vacancy Rate9 Average Monthly Rent by Apartment Size10 Bachelor 1-Bedroom 2-Bedroom Waitlist for NLH in Corner Brook Number of Physically Accessible Rental Units Food Bank Responses11 Number of Families That Received Food Number of Requests

Numbers 20,083 92 47 64 28 21 72 140 119 24 .09% $495 $429 $506 163 20 617 1624

The number of existing rental housing units has increased to 16% of the total dwellings from 14.4% in 1991. However, the demand for rental housing has increased hugely with the presence of students attending post-secondary education facilities such as Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, College of the North Atlantic and Academy Canada. The low vacancy rate and high demand means those who have less income to pay for housing and who are not subsidized are more likely to live in lower cost housing units and pay more than 30% of their income for rental housing. Survey and key informant data suggest some rental accommodations are in deplorable condition. Single people (particularly those with mental health, addictions or disabilities) have few housing options which will afford them stable and secure housing with supportive 5

http://www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/hrle/income-support/overview.html Statistics Canada 2006 Census Data. 7 Information provided by Corner Brook Transition House. 8 Information provided by Major Pike, Salvation Army. 9 CMHC Rental Housing Survey, October, 2008. 10 CMHC Rental Housing Survey, October, 2008. 11 Connors, J, Food Bank Network of the Bay of Islands Ministerial Association Inc. Note that food amounts are intended to cover three days ($85 value) and is available every eight weeks. 6



services. The Poverty Reduction, Mental Health, and Violence Prevention Strategies and changes to Income Support Legislation have made significant attempts to address a range of socio-economic issues facing families in the province. However, for the most part, single individuals have not, to date, been the primary beneficiaries of many of the changes. Key informants easily identified between 10-25 individuals with complex needs and 6 youth for whom some aspect of homelessness is an issue and who require adequate, stable and predictable housing with supports and services. The seniors’ apartment complexes are full, have waiting lists and, given the aging population, do not meet the demand from seniors who either no longer want to live in their family home or who can no longer afford to live in their family home. There are no emergency shelter beds for males or females in the Corner Brook area. The Salvation Army provides motel or board and lodging accommodation on an ad hoc basis. It is nobody’s “job” to help people find an adequate and safe place to live, the allowable rent/mortgage rates from income assistance do not come near the bachelor apartment rate noted by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Occasionally women can be accommodated through the Women’s Centre or Transition House (TH) but this is dependent on women’s ability to live in communal living environment and it is not a viable or long-term solution. While the economic picture presents a healthy per capita income for individuals in the Corner Brook area, those on low income or income supports live in a community where basic costs are high.

PRIORITY AREAS Five priority areas have been identified through the process of creating a Community Plan. The following list of priorities is not presented in order of importance: 1. Community Plan Animator Ensure that this community plan is animated, partnerships are built and the two-year HPS window is optimized. Researchers consistently heard that “it is nobody’s job to help youth, or anybody else for that matter, to find a place to live”. Members of the CPAC have full-time jobs and the development work required will demand significant effort. Promotion, collaborative planning and preparation of funding proposals on housing and homelessness prevention are best completed by an animator of the community plan. Objective 1: To identify funding sources that would facilitate the hiring of an animator for the community plan. 2. Housing for Single Adults Single individuals, especially those dealing with mental health, addictions, intellectual and physical disabilities as well as other issues that make it challenging to be entirely 6 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


independent - need transitional and supportive housing options with supportive services. They also need pre-employment and employment development opportunities as well as opportunities for social integration and inclusion. Objective 2: a. To increase the number of single, accessible, and supportive housing units. b. To create emergency shelter beds for males and invest heavily in transitional and supportive housing units. c. To ensure that any capital development or renovations be built to universal design & accessibility standards and utilize “green technologies”. 3. Housing and Support Services for Youth ages 16-29 There are no transitional housing or supportive housing units for youth in the Corner Brook area. Assisting youth with mental illness and addictions is particularly pressing and is necessary homelessness prevention work. Objective 3: a. To develop a Youth Service Centre, similar to Choices For Youth in St. John’s, that includes supported housing as well as opportunities for education, job training and capacity building for youth with mental illness and addictions.

4. Women Who Need Supportive and Transitional Housing Seventy-three percent of the respondents to the Peer/Frontline survey were women. This suggests that women are deeply affected by the lack of adequate and affordable housing and that the need is beyond that experienced by women leaving the Transition House. Both single individuals and single parents struggle to find adequate and affordable rental units and lack of availability likely has women returning to unsafe and inadequate housing. Objective 4: Create supportive housing units specifically for women that are part of a network of ongoing supportive services and outreach.

5. Seniors’ Housing Seniors desire and would greatly benefit from living in an affordable seniors’ housing with social and recreational facilities. Seniors’ complexes would allow senior populations to live independently and access shared (among the residents) supports when needed. Objective 5: To identify partners willing to focus on creating housing options for seniors.



Table of Contents LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... 9 LIST OF FIGURES.......................................................................................................... 9 LIST OF APPENDICES .................................................................................................. 9 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 10 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4

BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................... 10 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COMMUNITY PLAN ............................................. 11 DEFINITIONS OF HOMELESSNESS ............................................................................ 12 IDENTIFIED GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND ISSUES ADDRESSED IN REPORT ......................... 13

2.0 COMMUNITY PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS ............................................... 14 2.1 COMMUNITY PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ............................................................... 14 2.2 DATA GATHERING.................................................................................................. 14 2.2.1 Documentation Review .................................................................................. 14 2.2.2 Community Consultation................................................................................ 14 2.2.3 Focus Groups ................................................................................................ 15 2.2.4 Key informant Interviews................................................................................ 15 2.2.5 Housing Questionnaire Survey ...................................................................... 15 3.0 CORNER BROOK COMMUNITY PROFILE.......................................................... 17 3.1 STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS ....................................................................................... 17 3.1.1 Population...................................................................................................... 17 3.1.2 Housing......................................................................................................... 17 3.1.3 Emergency Housing ...................................................................................... 19 3.2 INCOME ................................................................................................................ 20 3.2.1 Low Income ................................................................................................... 22 3.2.2 Income Support ............................................................................................. 22 3.2.2 Unemployment Rate ...................................................................................... 23 3.3 EDUCATION .......................................................................................................... 23 3.4 ASSETS ................................................................................................................ 23 3.4.1 Social Housing............................................................................................... 23 3.4.2 Second-stage Housing .................................................................................. 24 3.4.3 Emergency Shelters ...................................................................................... 24 3.4.4 Long Term Supportive Residence................................................................. 24 3.4.5 Community Services ...................................................................................... 24 3.4.6 Government Services .................................................................................... 25 3.5 GAPS IN SERVICE .................................................................................................. 26 3.5.1 Low Rental Availability ................................................................................... 26 3.5.2 Housing Disparity........................................................................................... 26 3.5.3 Impact of Inadequate Public Transportation System ..................................... 27 4.0 NATURE OF HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS................................................. 28 4.1 RESPONSES FROM PEOPLE WITH HOUSING ISSUES .................................................. 28 8 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


4.2 POPULATIONS AT RISK ........................................................................................... 29 4.2.1 Individuals Described as Having Complex Needs ......................................... 29 4.2.2 Youth ............................................................................................................. 30 4.2.3 Women Have Limited Options ....................................................................... 31 4.2.4 Men Need Housing Too ................................................................................. 31 4.2.5 Single Person Households............................................................................. 32 4.2.6 Seniors........................................................................................................... 32 4.3 HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION ................................................................................ 33 5.0 SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 35 6.0 PRIORITY NEEDS................................................................................................. 36

List of Tables Table 1: Homelessness Indicators for Corner Brook ....................................................... 5 Table 2: Consultation Numbers..................................................................................... 14 Table 3: Housing Prices and Vacancy Rates ................................................................ 18 Table 4: Social and Affordable Housing ........................................................................ 18 Table 5: Transition House Statistics .............................................................................. 20 Table 6: Indicators of Realities Economic Realities....................................................... 21 Table 7: Demographics of Peer Survey Respondents .................................................. 28 Table 8: Desired Housing.............................................................................................. 33

List of Figures Figure 1: Cost of Monthly Housing Expenses ............................................................... 19 Figure 2: Sources of Financial Support ......................................................................... 21 Figure 3: Descriptors for People in Corner Brook area on Income Support .................. 22 Figure 4: Number of People Who Access Specific Community Services ...................... 25 Figure 5: Individuals with Complex Needs throughout Corner Brook Community ......... 30

List of Appendices Appendix A: List of Abbreviations.................................................................................. 38 Appendix B: CPAC Committee Members...................................................................... 39 Appendix C: Peer Survey .............................................................................................. 40 Appendix D: Public Survey............................................................................................ 49 Appendix E: Key Informant Survey................................................................................ 55 Appendix F: Summarized Responses to Public Surveys............................................... 56 Appendix G: Summary of Key Informant Responses .................................................... 57 Appendix H: Interview and Focus Group Listing ........................................................... 59 Appendix I: Annotated Bibliography .............................................................................. 60 Appendix J: Community Statistics for Corner Brook (HPS Data Tools)......................... 64



1.0

Introduction

Corner Brook functions as the service centre for the region and faces problems with housing and homelessness. This city is not unlike many other “hub” communities that people in surrounding areas commute to for services, programs, health care and postsecondary education. This report specifically offers the framework of a Community Plan on Housing and Homelessness for the Corner Brook area. The Community Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) is aware that their plans and successes will also benefit the Bay of Islands area and west coast, in general. Apart from anecdotal stories of individuals sleeping in the park, we found no other evidence of absolute homelessness (people living/sleeping on the street). However, there is evidence of people at risk of becoming homeless (e.g. couch surfing) and who experience inadequate and unsustainable housing arrangements. The Corner Brook Community Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) recognizes that collaborative partnerships and consensus building on priority areas are critical in order to meet the most pressing housing needs for the most vulnerable populations in the Corner Brook area. This document reports on the extensive community data gathering process over the last four months, demographics of the area, statistical information from various service providers and the emerging priorities. The Community Plan, with priority areas identified, positions the CPAC to apply for development funds under the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS), engage with partners at both the municipal and provincial levels of government and build partnerships with agencies such as Western Health that will help address the common interest of secure, stable and adequate housing for citizens. 1.1

Background

The problems of absolute and relative homelessness were identified as a major concern in Canada in the late 1990’s. Serious problems resulted from a combination of economic factors, de-institutionalization of individuals who live with mental illness, lack of social housing and few supportive services. This pervasive predicament is most obvious in major cities while hidden in less populated areas. The federal government re-engaged with the issue of housing and the social housing sector in 2000 with a series of successive initiatives that have focused on supporting communities to work collaboratively and address housing and homeless needs in their communities. The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is third generation housing funding and has replaced the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), which expired on March 31, 2007. The focus on a "housing first" approach to homelessness is designed to establish



structures and supports needed to move homeless and at-risk individuals towards selfsufficiency and full participation in Canadian society12. The five pillars of the HPS are listed below. 1. Prevent and reduce homelessness. 2. Ensure tangible and direct responses to client needs and measurable outcomes for clients. 3. Engage with provincial/territorial and other government departments and communities. 4. Provide supportive, preventative and longer term housing solutions. 5. Strengthen accountability and measurement. Service Canada announced that the federal government confirmed $1.9B over five years (2009-2013) for renewing existing housing and homelessness investments (Homelessness Partnering Strategy, Affordable Housing Initiative, Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program). Specifically, HPS in its current form is renewed for two years ($269.6M). In two years, the federal government has hinted that it may amend the program (Cabinet has nonetheless approved a further $404.4M for homelessness between 2011-2013, as part of the $1.9B package above). In the meantime, the HPS allocation for Newfoundland and Labrador’s Outreach Communities (Corner Brook is one of five outreach communities) are allocated $540,000 per year (2009-2010), for a total of approximately $1.1M. Presumably, the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) and Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) are also being renewed for five years based on existing funding formulas and will continue to be administered in this province by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing (NLH)13. The federal HPS provided funds to the CPAC to create a community plan on housing and homelessness. This document, the community plan, is meant to create a blueprint for strategic and collaborative planning efforts to reduce and eliminate homelessness and the risk of homelessness. The community plan expects to access funds from the HPS funding envelope, available during this fiscal year and the next (2009-2011). This being said, this plan looks beyond the next two years and hopes that the federal government will extend the HPS past that timeframe. 1.2

Purpose and Objectives of the Community Plan

The purpose of a community plan, as reported by the HPS14, is as follows:

12

The Homeless Partnering Strategy: Partnerships that work. Human Resources and Social Development Canada, 2008. 13 Correspondence with Bruce Pearce, Community Development Worker, St. John’s Community Advisory Committee on Housing and Homelessness. 14 Community Plan 2007-2009: Homelessness Partnering Strategy Reference Guide, August, 2007. 11 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


 give community service organizations a framework for working together to achieve common goals  assist the community to make the best use of scarce resources by reducing overlap and duplication  enable the community to evaluate its progress in reaching its shared objectives  set a common vision for fundraising activities

The primary objectives of the community plan report preparation process was two-fold: 1. Engage the community in the development of a community plan that would identify and analyze the existing scope and nature of housing and homelessness in Corner Brook and surrounding areas. 2. Make recommendations that will lead to the improvement of future housing options and reduce homelessness in Corner Brook and surrounding areas. 1.3

Definitions of Homelessness

For the purposes of the Community Plan the following HPS definitions of homelessness15 are used: at risk population – noun 1. individuals or families who are at imminent risk of eviction from their current housing; who pay too high a proportion of their income for housing; who live in unacceptable housing or housing circumstances. 2. includes those who will be discharged from the criminal justice system, leaving a health facility after an extended stay; youth exiting the child welfare system without suitable housing in place prior to their discharge. hidden homeless population – noun 1. individuals or families living in locations not intended for human habitation (e.g. abandoned buildings) 2. continuously moving among temporary housing arrangements provided by strangers, friends or family. living on the street population – noun 1. individuals or families who live on the street due to the lack of secured housing. 15

Community Plan 2009-2011: Homelessness Partnering Strategy Reference Guide, August, 2009 12



definitions continued… short term  crisis sheltered population – noun 1. individuals or families staying temporarily in emergency and/or transitional housing: this category also includes the episodically sheltered sub-population. episodically sheltered – adj. 1. describes families and individuals who access shelters multiple times through the year seeking assistance; describes people who are not necessarily able/ready to form long-term connections necessary to move to housing stability. Note: The implications are that some people are not able to commit to stable living conditions for many different reasons. For example, some youth feel safer when they frequently relocate themselves.

1.4

Identified Geographic Area and Issues Addressed in Report

The community plan is targeted towards the City of Corner Brook and therefore, where possible, data specific to Corner Brook has been gathered. It is acknowledged that the people from the communities within the Bay of Islands, Deer Lake and Pasedena also use the services and supports available in Corner Brook and consequently, may benefit from actions arising from the Community Plan. This report addresses the 1) nature and extent of homelessness and housing options in Corner Brook, 2) assets and services in the area, 3) gaps in services in the area and 4) priority areas, as defined by the research results and consensus from the community stakeholders.



2.0

Community Plan Development Process

The consultant group chosen, through competitive process, to complete the research and facilitate the development of the Community Plan consisted of Project Leader Bobbie Boland, working collaboratively with Melody Morton Ninomiya and Alison Earle. 2.1

Community Plan Advisory Committee

The CPAC committee is comprised of a number of key community and governmental stakeholders (Appendix B). The CPAC will continue to work collaboratively with community partners, holds responsibility for implementing the community plan and will support applications to Service Canada for HPS funds. 2.2

Data Gathering

The data gathering processes began in January, 2009 and concluded in March, 2009. Data gathering took on many forms that are described below. 2.2.1 Documentation Review The consultants reviewed documentation provided by the CPAC that were relevant to housing assets and gaps in the Corner Brook region (Appendix I). Relevant statistical community profile information originating from Statistics Canada, Community Accounts and Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CHMC) were also reviewed. 2.2.2 Community Consultation The community was consulted in various forms. Below is a listing of the general method used and the number of participants. Table 2: Consultation Numbers Form of Consultation Focus Groups (seven groups) Key Informant Interviews Peer Survey Key Informant Survey Public Survey Total

Number of Participants 47 21 90 22 16 190 (approx.)

Note: There was some overlap in key informants and focus group participants and there remains a possibility that focus group participant may have completed the Peer Survey (completed anonymously to researchers).



2.2.3 Focus Groups The initial design report suggested emphasis on focus groups with varied populations. The decision was made, in collaboration with the CPAC, to place greater effort on the surveys as one way to encourage input from a broader base of respondents. Surveys were deemed a more confidential method of obtaining personal and private information, as opposed to focus groups where other variables may limit or shape what information is shared (e.g. focus groups are not anonymous, cannot promise confidentiality and interpersonal dynamics can impact how much is shared). In total, seven focus groups were completed with the following groups: seniors, post secondary students, people who avail of the Friendship Corner soup kitchen, Consumer Health Awareness Network Newfoundland and Labrador (CHANNAL) Anxiety Support Group, Dunfield Park Community Center staff and Dunfield Park tenants (Appendix H). 2.2.4 Key informant Interviews Individuals targeted for key informant interviews were identified in collaboration with the CPAC during the design phase of the plan development process. Most key informant interviews were completed face-to-face while others were telephone interviews. In total, 23 interviews (individual and group) were completed. The list of individuals interviewed can be found in Appendix H. 2.2.5 Housing Questionnaire Survey Upon recommendation and praise for the tools and information provided in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Community Plan for Addressing Homelessness and Transitional Housing (June 2007), the community plan developed for Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the housing questionnaires were adapted for the purpose of this document. The Community Plan: 2007-2009 Homelessness Partnering Strategy (Data Tools and Framework) was also reviewed to ensure that necessary information was gathered from both key informants and people who experience housing issues. The motives for using an online questionnaire were four-fold: 1) it can easily be placed as a link on any website to encourage participation; 2) it offers the possibility of being embedded in emails (skipping the online link altogether); 3) it can be printed off (it was ensured that someone would input the data from hard copies) for those without computer skills or access; and 4) the program automatically deposited electronic responses into an organized spreadsheet, ready for simple coding and analysis. The questionnaire included quantitative and qualitative data to identify, reiterate and affirm trends also observed in research, interviews and focus groups that are relevant to the development of a community plan. Three distinct questionnaires were developed. The Peer Survey collected information from individuals who had experienced homelessness or were at risk of homelessness on demographics, housing situation, financial realities, supports used and supports needed. Participants were identified through members of the CPAC, community based organizations and service providers. Requests were made through a cross section of organizations that were in contact with individuals who identify housing as an issue for them. Effort was made to try and 15 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


ensure the surveys covered diverse populations (e.g. youth, individuals with mental illness, women connected to Transition House, individuals connected to the Salvation Army, etc.). Participation was voluntary, as was the amount of information respondents chose to include. Each participant that completed the Peer/Frontline Survey received a $20 stipend. The Key Informant Survey collected information on services, waitlists, effective collaboration, gaps, best practices, observed trends and identifying priority needs. Key Informants were identified through the design report and through CPAC members. The key informants represent people from community-based agencies and government (health and education) departments. The Public Survey invited community members to answer an abbreviated version of the Peer/Frontline Survey. It was promoted by the CPAC through a combination of public service announcements on email and the local paper. The results from the questionnaire were automatically formatted in a spreadsheet format. The data was tabulated, coded and analyzed. The results from the online questionnaires were validated by information shared in interviews and focus groups. Similarly, statistical data provided by Statistics Canada, Community Accounts and Canada Mortgage and Housing were considered in relation to the results from the questionnaires, interviews and focus groups.



3.0

Corner Brook Community Profile

Corner Brook is the largest community on the west coast of Newfoundland and is the headquarters for Western Health, provincial government departments, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, College of the North Atlantic, and the Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Mill (Kruger). As a service delivery hub, youth and adults alike naturally gravitate to the area in order to access services and supports (e.g. people with mental health and addictions issues). 3.1

Statistical Highlights16

The following statistical descriptions are intended to provide a profile of the area covered by the Community Plan. 3.1.1 Population The population profile of Corner Brook has been declining for a number of years. The population dropped from 22,410 in 1991 to 20,083 in 2006 (most recent census), with little difference between the census years 2001 and 2006. Overall, there are fewer births and increased numbers of deaths. Out-migration has slowed down. It is unclear how much of the census statistics include the student population since census is completed in mid-May, during intersession when there are significantly fewer students enrolled in post-secondary institutions. The median age in 2006 was age 43, compared to 32 in the early 1990’s. Numbers of families and children are decreasing while single person households are increasing. The percentage of seniors in the population is rising, a consistent trend throughout the province17. Apart from the decreasing population and increasing average age, the household profile of Corner Brook is also changing. The growing number of single individual households may, in part, be due to the number of students in the area, though it is a trend in other communities as well. The census identified that the Aboriginal population is increasing. It is possible that this is affected by the registration of members to the Qualipu Mi’kmaq First Nations Band. 3.1.2 Housing Statistics Canada reports that the total number of housing units in Corner Brook has increased while the total family households have decreased. Home ownership has risen slightly (68.1% in 1996 to 69.5% in 2006) and the 2006 census identified 7.9% of

16 17

Regional Demographic Profiles and Rural Secretariat Regional Profile. Detailed data can be found in the HPS Data Tools Community Statistics for Corner Brook. 17



the population suggest their houses are in need of major repair18. This statistic suggests that 7.9% of the total dwellings belong to (or are inhabited by) individuals or families at risk of homelessness – people unable to afford necessary major repairs or rented out in poor repair. Most income support clients live in rental housing while 1.6% have a housing mortgage and 3.2% own a home with no mortgage. The total number of rental units in Corner Brook, as reported by Statistics Canada, has decreased from 31.9% in 1996 to 30.5% in 2006. The statistics below regarding rental units is provided in the CMHC Rental Survey of October 2008. Please note that the survey only defines rental properties as having three or more apartments, excluding private home rental arrangements. Table 3: Housing Prices and Vacancy Rates19 Category MLS Listing (average estimated value) Bachelor 1-Bedroom 2-Bedroom Vacancy Rate

2007 $135,000 $406 $420 $487 .06%

2008 $154,000 $495 $429 $506 .09%

Table 4: Social and Affordable Housing20 Description Total Social Housing Public Rental Family Units Private Non-profit  West Coast Interfaith Senior Citizens Cottages  CPA Manor for Families and Seniors  Aboriginal Housing Units for Families  Shamrock Cresent (Senior) Rent Supplement Program for Private Rental Public Rental Senior Units Cooperatives NLH Total Wait List Female Male Affordable Housing Units Accessible

Numbers 914 598 140 (92) (20) (1621) (12) 119 39 18 163 114 51 24 12

18

Census definition of “major repairs” is repair of defective plumbing or electrical wiring, structural repairs to walls, floors or ceilings etc. 19 CMHC Rental Survey, October 2008. Community informants suggest the information regarding MLS may not accurately reflect the reality as MLS is new to the area and MLS is given as an option to sellers who may choose or not to list on MLS. 20 Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, 2008. 21 8 units on Wheelers Road in Corner Brook and 8 units on Webcon Road in Benoits Cove. 18 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


Private Sector Non-Private Sector

10 14

As for people that participated in the Peer Survey, the breakdown of what 90 individuals paid for housing is illustrated in the following pie chart. The respondents of this survey do not proportionally represent the whole population of people at risk of homelessness however, trends can be observed. Please note that individuals with low (i.e. “under $200”) expenses live temporarily with friends, family (e.g. couch surfing) or in transitional housing.

Housing Costs

6% 12%

32%

28%

26%

Under $200 $200-299 $300-499 $500-750 Over $750 Unknown

35%

Figure 1: Cost of Monthly Housing Expenses (Rent/Mortgage plus Utilities)

3.1.3 Emergency Housing There are no identifiable emergency shelter beds in the Corner Brook area. Key informants suggest it is often more difficult to secure housing for males, particularly those leaving correctional institutions or those who have a history of sexual offences. The Salvation Army provides approximately 72 individuals/families with emergency accommodations in a year. In 2007, the Salvation Army spent approximately $30,000 providing short-term board and lodging arrangements in hotel/motels as well as boarding houses. Women leaving abusive relationships can be housed at the Transition House (TH). The TH also has 5 second-stage housing units. Women often experience difficulty moving 19 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


on to more permanent housing because of a shortage in rental housing. Since experiencing violence is all too common in the lives of women, TH will at times when space permits, admit women with complex needs after careful consideration for their ability to live in a communal setting and abide by security needs of others. Table 5: Transition House Statistics22 Category Women Children Families Single Women Women with Challenging Needs Young Women with Children At Risk of Going into Care Housing Issues (as a reason for seeking housing with TH) Turnaways (people not accommodated for various reasons) Homeless Male Historic Abuse Not in Abusive Relationship

Numbers 92 47 47 64 27 6 17 7 6 2 6

The Corner Brook Status of Women Council (CBSWC) has a 3-bedroom unit, located above their office space, for women to rent rooms and share a communal living space. This option works well as a short-term accommodation for people able to live communally. Women that access the services at CBSWC are often challenged to find alternate housing arrangements, as there are so few options available. 3.2

Income

Overall, the Average Per Capita Income statistics present a picture of wellbeing. For Corner Brook, it is $22,800 - which is higher than the region ($20,600) and the province ($21,600). In 2005, half of Corner Brook’s couple families had incomes exceeding $57,000 and half of the lone parent families had incomes less than $22,700. Key informants suggest that there is a large wage disparity between the high-income earners and those who are on the low income end of the spectrum. Women and female-led families consistently have lower incomes than men or male-led families and also represent the majority of people waitlisted for social housing. The following table is a breakdown dollar figures and percentages to give readers a sense and understanding of financial realities people on low income face.

22

2008 in-house statistics from Transition House. 20



Table 6: Indicators of Realities Economic Realities23 Description Social assistance for a single person Single parent with dependent children Couple with Dependent Children Single Adult maintaining a Household

Numeric Data $290 $511 $666 $478

Note: These amounts do not include amounts for shelter, fuel allowance or any special needs.

Rent/Mortgage – up to Fuel Supplement (Island) Minimum Wage Unemployment Rate 200624 Low Income Cut Off (LICO)

$372 $50 $8.50 12.7% 14.1%

Respondents from the Peer Survey, representing voices of people who experience issues related to housing and homelessness, indicated the following sources of financial support. Sources of Financial Support Workers' Compensation Disability Benenfits Spousal/Child Support Pension (CPP, etc) Family Employment Insurance (EI)

1% 4% 6% 6% 8% 10%

Other

14%

Rebates (tax) Child Tax Benefits Employment Income Support

20% 27% 33% 36%

Figure 2: Sources of Financial Support 23 24

http://www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/hrle/income-support/overview.html Statistics Canada 2006 Census Data. 21



3.2.1 Low Income The 2006 Census indicated that 15.5 % (3,112) of the Corner Brook City Census Area are persons of low income before taxes. Females are represented at 18.1% and males at 12.7%. While low-income statistics cannot be used to measure poverty, the numbers describe the percentage of families or individuals who spend 20% more of their income than the average population (in their area) on food, shelter and clothing25. 3.2.2 Income Support26 Families or individuals living on income support have their most basic needs met by this social safety net. Nevertheless, they do not have much, if any, disposable income. The mortgage and rental rates allowable through income support (up to $372 per month) are significantly below the CMHC rental survey rates and consequently, 68% who rent are either dependent on subsidized housing or likely spend over 30% of their income on rent. The lack of subsidized housing for singles is reflected in the fact that 92% of those in board and lodging arrangements are single27. To paint a picture of the numerical realities for people on income support, here are a number of statistics generated by HRLE in 2007: 289 in board and lodging arrangements (92% are single)

68% rent housing units

People on Income Support ~ 1,297 people in 2008 ~ ~ Average $6,300 over 9.2 month period ~

58% single

26% single parents

815 children live in families on income support

62% have a female head-of-family

Figure 3: Descriptors for People in Corner Brook area on Income Support (2008)

25

Statistics Canada. 2006 Census Community Profiles: Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Released March 13, 2007. http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed May 7, 2009). 26 Commonly referred to as social assistance or “welfare”. 27 Personal communication from Jim Warren, Human Resources, Labour and Employment (HRLE), 2009. 22 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


3.2.2 Unemployment Rate The Corner Brook unemployment rate in 2006 was 12.7% compared to the region at 17.6%. The self reliance ratio, a term used by the Community Accounts to measure a community's dependency on government transfers (e.g. Canada Pension, Old Age Security, Employment Insurance, Income Support Assistance), was 80.7% in 2005 for the Corner Brook economic zone - which includes the Bay of Islands, Pasadena and Pinchgut Lake. The provincial self reliance ratio was 78.4%. The higher the percentage of income that comes from transfers, the lower the self-reliance ratio. These statistics suggest that people in Corner Brook area are slightly better financially than the rest of the province. The combination of a higher-than-average self-reliance ratio and numbers of people on income support point out the disparity between the high-income earners and those that depend on income support. 3.3

Education

The 2006 Census information identified that 17.9% of the Corner Brook adult population had not completed high school. Between ages 25-54, 14.3% had completed a bachelor’s degree and of the 25-34 year old population, 90.9% had a high school diploma equivalent or higher. This number may be influenced by the university and college presence of Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, Academy Canada and College of the North Atlantic in Corner Brook. There are some who believe a very different picture exists in some neighbourhoods in the City and there is particular concern about those youth and their futures. For example the Executive Director of the Dunfield Park Community Centre, Ben Fitzgerald, believes that many of the youth in the area struggle with stigmatization and a sense of exclusion from the wider community which manifests itself as non completion of high school. He believes the graduation rate for youth in the area is extremely low. The provincial Department of Education statistics suggest a different picture based with minimal dropouts from Dufield Park. These very different perspectives, seemingly contradictory, suggest a need for a closer look at the student population (including youth that may have dropped out) in Dunfield Park. 3.4

Assets

This section is devoted to identifying the primary assets (housing and services) identified in the Corner Brook area. There are many assets that can be found in the community, as described in the Community Profiles, but for the purpose of framing the priority areas and context for the proposed community plan, the listed assets below are intended to give readers an understanding of existing assets. 3.4.1 Social Housing There are 914 social housing units for families and seniors in the Corner Brook area. Some units (e.g. Dunfield Park) are in poor condition as a result of a previous maintenance freeze. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing (NLH) is currently engaged in a ten-year plan to address the condition of existing buildings and create some smaller 23 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


units. Out of the 914 social housing units, 241 are in Dunfield Park, the oldest social housing area and the area with the greatest stigma. 3.4.2 Second-stage Housing There is one organization that offers variations of second stage housing. Second stage housing is intended to help people who need a place between a transition house/shelter and finding their own place to live. The Transition House operates 5 second-stage apartments. 3.4.3 Emergency Shelters As mentioned earlier, the Transition House for women has 16 beds available to women leaving abusive relationships. The Salvation Army, while they do not have shelter beds, will pay for those in an emergency situation to stay at a motel or boarding house for a few nights. 3.4.4 Long Term Supportive Residence Xavier House, run by the Presentation Sisters is a long term supportive housing option for 18 individuals who live in a communal living residence. 3.4.5 Community Services When respondents from the Peer Survey indicated which community services they access as a means of support, the following people, groups, or services were mentioned. The listing does not represent services used within a specific timeframe but rather indicative of services they currently use or rely on.



Community Services Accessed

Emergency Protection Orders Alcoholic Anonymous RCMP Other Churches

3% 4% 10% 13% 14%

Child, Youth & Family Services NL Housing Food Bank Human Resources, Labour & Employment

21% 37% 38% 43%

Hospital

44%

Figure 4: Number of People Who Access Specific Community Services In addition to the groups, organizations and services listed by the survey, key informants and other focus groups have identified other community assets such as Community Mental Health Initiative (CMHI), Community Youth Network, Salvation Army, Corrections and Community Services, YMCA, Ministerial Association (manage Food Bank), CHANNAL and the Mental Health Case Management Services. 3.4.6 Government Services There are a number of government partners that hold some responsibility for individuals in the community and who work collaboratively with community groups. The following is a list of key stakeholders that share common interests in addressing issues of housing and homelessness: Western Health; Department of Human Resources, Labour & Employment (HRLE); Department of Justice, Adult Corrections; Correctional Services of Canada; and the municipal government.



3.5

Gaps in Service

It is important to note that some of the assets listed in the previous section are mentioned as part of gaps in housing options. The reason for this is that many of the assets serve to fill a void; however, they lack the resources, support and infrastructure to effectively serve much of the population at risk of homelessness. This section is organized by emerging issues that have come out of interviews, focus groups, surveys and data collection from statistics (community organizations and government). 3.5.1 Low Rental Availability Despite a small increase in numbers of rental properties (14.4% in 1991 and 16% in 2006), the vacancy rate remain low at 0.09%28. This low vacancy rate creates significant challenges as it presents a “landlord” market – a rental market where landlords can pick and choose who they will rent to and may not feel the need to keep units in good condition. The number of students in the area looking to secure housing near campus places a great demand on rental properties close to the center of the city. The departure of women from Transition House and the Corner Brook Status of Women Council is often delayed because of inability to secure housing, similar to discharging people from the hospital (for mental health and addictions issues). Some individuals with complex needs have made challenging reputations for themselves. These reputations are compounded by the lack of supportive services (that would help sustain greater stability in their lives) that deter landlords from renting to them. All that remains for people with complex needs and tenant reputations are substandard and often unsafe housing options – another layer to add to their existing complex needs. The population statistics and data gathered for this research also suggest a dire need for housing for single individuals. NLH units are full, have waiting lists and are largely geared to families. Students from Sir Wilfred Grenfell College described their challenges of finding accommodations. The students deduced that landlords charge high rates on account of a high demand and low availability. It is worth noting that the vacancy rate of 0.09% quoted earlier is a statistic taken in October, when there is high enrolment at the university and college. This suggests that the rental rates fluctuate with school terms, particularly flooded with renters from September through April of every year. 3.5.2 Housing Disparity While home owning seniors may have adequate houses, they feel that they both need and want more options around rental housing. The increasing senior population suggest a growing need for seniors housing that do the following: allow seniors to “age in place”; are built to accessible standards; offer affordable rent (the seniors focus group suggested $600 per month inclusive); and provide both social and recreational 28

CMHC Rental Housing Survey October 2008. 26



opportunities on site. While it cannot be stated with certitude, it is probable that if affordable seniors’ apartment renting options were available, a significant number of privately owned homes would be released into the market. The aging population raises another concern about housing and human services needs. Key informants reported that many seniors have continued to provide a home and supports to adult children who have physical, developmental and mental health disabilities. Once they are unable to continue providing this care, an emergency housing situation will arise for the adult child because there are such few options available. 3.5.3 Impact of Inadequate Public Transportation System “An inadequate transportation system restricts, and in many ways defines, the life we can lead in the community.” (Voices of the People, p. 12) Transportation is an added cost and large burden for individuals and households that need it to access necessary services. Transportation, or lack of, greatly limits where people can live and creates a barrier to inclusion and participation in the life of the community. The public transportation system in Corner Brook affects individuals across the entire age spectrum. The lack of an adequate, affordable and available public transportation contributes to social and economic exclusion. Fifty-two percent of peer survey participants suggested that having a job (if they did not have one already) would be very helpful in meeting their housing needs. However, if the job is low-waged and the hours do not fall between Monday to Friday, 7am-7pm, when public transportation is available, the earnings cannot afford the taxi ride to get home. In essence, people want to work; work is encouraged; work pays huge dividends in terms of wellbeing; people cannot afford to work (depending on where they live). The bus system also does not access all areas of the City, including Sunnyslope and Dunfield Park, two of the larger residential areas. Public transportation is not accessible for individuals with disabilities. For people with physical disabilities, transportation can directly affect an individual’s isolation and participation in the life of the community. The issues related to public transportation need to be addressed at multiple levels. Namely, the public service must be accessible to all citizens; safe and reliable; reasonable, equitable and affordable; and physical and attitudinal barrier-free29.

29

Independent Living Resource Centre, Report of the findings from A Public Forum for People with Disabilities, Voices of the People, pp. 9-15. 27 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


4.0

Nature of Housing and Homelessness

The following are the highlights of the information gathered from surveys, interviews, focus groups and other documented sources. The quantitative and qualitative information gathered from people spoke volumes and gave context for numbers provided by government data collection processes. The Public Health Agency of Canada identifies twelve determinants of health: income and social status, employment, education, social environments, physical environments, healthy child development, personal health practices and coping skills, health services, social support networks, biology and genetic endowment, gender and culture30. As you read through this section, it becomes apparent that these determinants are negatively impacting the health of many of the people at risk of homeless. There are a number of indicators that comment on the state of several of the above listed determinants (i.e. income, physical environments, education, social support networks, gender). 4.1

Responses from People with Housing Issues

A total of 90 people participated in the Peer Survey (Appendix C). The demographics of a population that represent people who experience issues with housing and homelessness are described below. Table 7: Demographics of Peer Survey Respondents Category

Summary of Responses

Location

Corner Brook (97%), Stephenville (2%), Irishtown (1%),

Gender

Female (73%), Male (27%)

Age Groups

Under 20 (3%), 20-29 (41%), 30-39 (20%), 40-49 (13%), 50-59 (11%), 60+(4%), Unknown (7%)

Highest Education

High school (32%), Adult Basic Education (2%), College (11%), University (17%), Less than Grade 12 or Equivalent (38%)

Co-Habitants

Single (46%), Single Parent (22%), Couple with Children (13%), Couple without Children (10%), Other/Unknown (9%)

Disabilities

Yes (27%), No (73%)

Type of Accommodation &

Private Rental Apartment (20%), Private Rental House

30

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Determinants of Health, http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/phsp/determinants/index-eng.php (retrieved May 9, 2009). 28 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


Arrangements

(8%), Own Home (2%), Renting Bedroom/Bed-sitting (24%), NLH House (14%), NLH Apartment (11%), Living with Friends/Family at little/no cost (11%), Shelter (7%), Second Stage Housing (1%), Group Home (1%)

Methods of Transportation

Taxi (36%), Walking (57%), Friends (22%), Own Car (26%), Family (14%), Bike (8%), Other (10%), Free/Subsidized Transportation (1%)

Similar to Peer Survey respondents, public survey respondents indicated that they simply want to live somewhere modest, economical, well maintained and up to code for safety. Heating costs were a major concern. Respondents would like to see more affordable housing, accessible for individuals with disabilities and having supportive services for those with mental health concerns. 4.2

Populations at Risk

The key informant surveys were one of the few sources that are able to give accurate insight into realities of hidden homelessness in the Corner Brook area. Key informants were able to identify affordable and accessible housing availability, rental properties for individuals with specific needs, and the kinds of supports people need to thrive in the community. The particular populations identified as having the highest needs include: single adults needing emergency housing, and youth between 16-19 years of age that do not meet the age criteria for Youth Services under Western Health and individuals with complex needs (including mental health and addiction issues). From a communitybased service delivery, government and health care systems perspectives, there is a clear desire to work collaboratively to address housing and support services. It was also clearly expressed that there is need for a paid position whose job would include helping individuals find a place to live and supports to help maintain housing security. There are other markers of hidden homelessness. Researchers learned about individuals occasionally living in tents in the local park area during the summer and fall seasons. The Salvation Army reports at least three to four requests for emergency accommodations per month. Survey respondents frequently described their living in conditions as deplorable. Many homes are described as being cold, damp, mouldy and not to code (e.g. dysfunctional locks, no safe exit doors). 4.2.1 Individuals Described as Having Complex Needs Key informants were asked to identify people with the greatest housing need and those for whom inadequate housing contributes to significant disruption in their lives and consequent demands on service systems.



The population described as having the highest need are those often described as having complex needs. This category of complex needs is used to describe individuals with histories of mental illness, addictions and/or other issues. People with complex needs tend to cycle in and out of hospital, prison and various housing arrangements. Often their relationships with families of origin are fractured and their supports are few. Best practices identified in research and experiences of Stella Burry Community Services in St. John’s suggest that individuals with complex needs will do best and thrive, when they have secure individual housing with an identified community of support31. For people with complex needs, communal living and shared living space often contribute to crisis and eventual breakdown of the housing arrangement. When asked to identify the number of people who might be described as having “complex needs” key informants offered the following:

Youth Services: 11 youth are often in crisis without consistent and stable housing (use disproportionate amounts of Youth Service workers’ time, energy & resources)

HRLE: 10 individuals who place significant demands on services

Transition House: 27 women are described as having very challenging needs

Individuals with Complex Needs

Women’s Centre: 20 women who live in a “revolving door kind of existence”

Mental Health Case Management: 13 (of 21) individuals on the caseload with chronic problems with securing housing arrangements that do not repeatedly collapse

Figure 5: Individuals with Complex Needs throughout Corner Brook Community

4.2.2 Youth There is evidence from key informants and CYN research32 that youth with mental illness, addictions and other serious challenges also struggle to secure housing. This population of youth face serious challenges of fitting in with the greater community, face obstacles in trying to “get ahead” (e.g. education, employment, housing) and have very 31

Rebuilding Lives: Evaluation of the Community Support Program (2004), Navigators and Networks (2008). Valerie Simms-Anderson, Community Youth Network Project Coordinator, Corner Brook, Research Results from Youth Survey, 2008. 32



few local services to help them. For example, youth involved with Youth Services are responsible for finding their own housing arrangements. Their chosen arrangements may not be appropriate, healthy or safe for them in the long run but feel they have few or no alternative options available to them. As a result, housing arrangements are easily eroded because they are either without sufficient supportive services, adequate housing arrangements or in inappropriate housing from the start. The 2008 CYN study on youth in Corner Brook and surrounding areas identified that youth are in clear need of the following: affordable housing; safe and adequate (versus sub-standard) housing; transition house-type shelter for youth like Choices for Youth in St. John’s; non-discrimination as income support recipients; and housing options when the vacancy rate is as low as 0.6%. 4.2.3 Women Have Limited Options The target population of the Transition House (TH) are women and children leaving abusive relationships. Unfortunately, far too many women experience violence of one kind or another during their lifetime. TH frequently responds to women and young girls in crisis and for whom no apparent housing option is available. Over the past few years, policy changes such HRLE’s Victims of Violence Policy, NLH’s Fast Track Policy and Emergency Protection Orders have made it easier for women with children to access housing opportunities. Over the last year, TH has seen a dramatic increase in the number of single women, older women, women with no children and women with multiple needs utilizing their services. The demographics of the women who frequent and reside at the TH pose unique challenges for the existing physical structure (e.g. communal living design of residence). The female respondents (73%) to the peer survey repeatedly identified a lack of affordable and adequate housing as their primary need. In the absence of affordable and adequate housing, many people are living in spaces that are too small for the number of residents, with costly to heat and high rent (barely supported by their income). Women who rent the rooms above the Corner Brook Status of Women Council office spend longer there than anticipated or desired because they experience great difficulties in securing safe, adequate and affordable housing. 4.2.4 Men Need Housing Too According to key informants, males who need emergency housing (including those returning from prison), face huge housing challenges and sometimes end up in deplorable accommodations and boarding houses. There are no emergency shelter beds for males in the Corner Brook region, women can sometimes access accommodation through the Transition House or through the CBSWC, depending on their ability to function in a communal and high security environment. As mentioned earlier, the Salvation Army often receives requests and will provide accommodation for 3-5 nights in a hotel/motel. During 2008, approximately $30,000 was spent on this service. Still unanswered is the question, where do people go when the vacancy rate is 31 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


so low (i.e. the Salvation Army cannot help) and the options so few? It has been mentioned in interviews that men returning from prisons, particularly with a history of sexual offences, have the greatest difficulty in finding living accommodations. 4.2.5 Single Person Households The lack of affordable and adequate housing needs for single people must be highlighted. When single people with are poor, excluded from the community and live with challenges such as disabilities, mental health issues, or they are returning from an institution they have fewer housing options available to them, as compared with any other population. Life and inadequate social integration skills often contribute to their high risk of homelessness. In 2005, 74 adults with intellectual disabilities were identified within the Western Region, at risk of having living arrangements break down resulting in the need for supportive residential options. Currently, there are up to 30 individuals with various disabilities who require access to suitable supportive and affordable housing in the Corner Brook Bay of Islands area. The Community Support Manager-Residential Services with Western Health reported in 2008-2009 that there were up to 10 adults with an array of physical, intellectual and mental disabilities admitted to Western Memorial Hospital for prolonged periods due to the lack of suitable housing. People with diagnosis such as acquired brain injury, paraplegia, down’s syndrome and other disorders are spending up to 18 months in hospital because there is nowhere for these people to live. Challenges exist related to their inability to find housing that is accessible, affordable with the necessary supportive services. As well, older parents and caregivers are unable to continue to care for adults with disabilities due to the lack of access to respite services that would support individuals in maintaining in their current homes thus exacerbating the need for residential options which often leads to hospital admissions. When housing has been identified, Community Support staff report there is often unwillingness by landlords to rent to persons with disabilities. 4.2.6 Seniors Seniors feel there are few alternative housing options for them in the City of Corner Brook. The existing seniors’ apartments (such as Shamrock Apartments) with affordable rent are much sought after. There are several upscale apartment buildings and condos currently under construction but likely will not meet the needs of the greater majority of seniors. Some seniors experience being “over housed” in their family homes and are challenged to meet the rising costs and increasingly challenging upkeep requirements of their living space. One participant in the seniors’ focus group was confident in saying there were over 100 community members, currently home owners, who would prefer to sell their homes and move into seniors’ housing that would also allow for social and recreational facilities at an affordable rent. The focus group with seniors made it clear that seniors should have the option to sell their home and be able to rent affordable units in a seniors-focussed apartment complex.



4.3

Homelessness Prevention

Peer and Public Survey respondents were asked, what supports would you be interested in (and use) in order to keep that housing? This question is another way of asking what factors make housing sustainable – preventing future homelessness. Table 8: Desired Housing Description Mentioned

Details

Rooms

Want as many bedrooms as there are people/couples living with them (i.e. weren’t asking for extra/spare bedrooms).

Clean/To Code/Heat

People wanted to structural and aesthetic upgrades, have electricity brought to code, have an above ground place and have insulation done properly to keep their place warm.

Child-Friendly

This referred to having friendly neighbours that would welcome children around.

Pet-Friendly

A place where pets are welcome and there was a yard to let them run around in (mentioned for some).

Lesser/Affordable Rent

While this would seem a more common answer, people generally accepted the “going rate” for rent and see themselves as needing to find work that would cover the going rent costs. It was also mentioned that an all-inclusive cost (i.e. utilities included) would be preferred.

Accessible

In addition to people with mobility challenges, a few people mentioned wanting everything to be on the same level.

Central Location

This reflects the desire to be closer to amenities, transportation and other community services/schools.

Private

Privacy in the context of having one’s own space within a dwelling as well as on the property and not having noisy neighbours.

Safe

Those that brought up this point were non-senior parents of adult children still living at home.

Nice Neighbourhood

These comments reflected a hope for a place where neighbours were warm, trustworthy, friendly, etc. 33



Overall, survey respondents want housing that is affordable, accessible to people with disabilities, supportive for people who have mental health issues or are aging, rental units that meet code (and someone to enforce the code), tenant rights education, housing designated for students (for transient population and without fluctuating rent), affordable homes to purchase, affordable child care, newer homes (i.e. in good repair) and more apartments.



5.0

SUMMARY

While homelessness is primarily hidden in the Corner Brook area, it is evident and addressing the issues will benefit both the individuals and the community. Homeless men and youth have no options for emergency housing. Women in need sometimes have options through the Transition House or the Corner Brook Status of Women Council however it is not either’s mandate to provide such housing. While shelter beds are necessary, a “housing first” approach puts in place structures and supports needed to move homeless and at-risk individuals towards self-sufficiency. This means that plans to create adequate and affordable housing options must also address supportive services, education, and employment development – the support people require to begin a sustainable living arrangement. In efforts to address pressing needs and develop housing options, many things need to converge: strategies, resources (financial and human), collaborative effort, partners from community, all levels of government, access to programs such as the Labour Market Development (LMDA), and training opportunities through the Federal Stimulus package. Corner Brook is challenged to “see” people who are hidden and create shelters - both the literal and figurative – in the form of housing and community inclusion. Fortunately, a committed CPAC is ready to move forward with this Community Plan on Housing and Homelessness. The cost of not acting is embedded in costs absorbed by health care, income support, correctional system and health & community services that feel that they are offering band-aid solutions that are unsustainable. The costs of hospital admissions, counselling and CYFS case workers to name a few; exceed the resources needed to create and maintain supportive housing.



6.0

Priority Needs

The following priorities are not reported in order of importance but generally set the directions for the Community Plan. 1. Community Plan Animator Ensure that this community plan is animated, partnerships are built and the two-year HPS widow is optimized. Researchers consistently heard that “it is nobody’s job to help youth or anybody else for that matter, to find a place to live”. Members of the CPAC have full-time jobs and the development work required will demand significant effort. Promotion, collaborative planning and preparation of funding proposals on housing and homelessness prevention are best completed by an animator of the community plan. Objective 1: To identify funding sources that would facilitate the hiring of an animator for the community plan.

2. Housing for Single Adults Single individuals, especially those dealing with mental health, addictions, intellectual and physical disabilities as well as other issues that make it challenging to be entirely independent - need transitional and supportive housing options with supportive services. They also need pre-employment and employment development opportunities as well as opportunities for social integration and inclusion. Objective 2: a. To increase the number of single, accessible, and supportive housing units. b. To create emergency shelter beds for males and invest heavily in transitional and supportive housing units. c. To ensure that any capital development or renovations be built to universal design & accessibility standards and utilize “green technologies”. 3. Housing and Support Services for Youth There are no transitional housing or supportive housing units for youth. Assisting youth with mental illness and addictions is particularly pressing and is necessary homelessness prevention work. Objective 3: d. To develop a Youth Service Centre, similar to Choices For Youth in St. John’s, that includes supported housing as well as opportunities for education, job training and capacity building for youth with mental illness and addictions or any homeless youth.



4. Women Who Need Transitional and Supportive Housing Seventy-three percent of the respondents to the Peer/Frontline survey were women. This suggests that women are deeply affected by the lack of adequate and affordable housing. The women leaving the TH, both single individuals and single parents struggle to find adequate and affordable rental units. The lack of availability likely has women returning to unsafe housing. Objective 4: Create supportive housing units specifically for women that are part of a network of ongoing supportive services and outreach. 5. Seniors’ Housing Seniors clearly desire and would greatly benefit from living in an affordable seniors’ housing with social and recreational facilities and the capacity to access supports and services as required. Objective 5: To identify partners willing to focus on creating housing options for seniors.



Appendix A: List of Abbreviations

AA

Alcoholics Anonymous

AHI

Affordable Housing Initiative

CBSWC

Corner Brook Status of Women Council

CBRH

Corner Brook Regional High

CEC

Community Enrichment Committee

CPAC

Community Plan Advisory Committee

CYFS

Child, Youth & Family Services

CYN

Community Youth Network

EI

Employment Insurance

EPO

Emergency Protection Order

HPS

Homelessness Partnering Strategy

HRLE

Human Resources, Labour and Employment

HRSDC

Human Resources & Skill Development Canada

LMDA

Labour Market Development Agency

NHI

National Homelessness Initiative

NLH

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing

NLSA

Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency

RCMP

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

RRAP

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program

SDEB

Skills Development Employment Benefits

TH

Transition House



Appendix B: CPAC Committee Members (listed alphabetically)

Valerie Simms Anderson (Community Youth Network) Gladys Costella (Seniors Aging Resource) Karen Davis (ILRC) Israel Hann (Senior Citizens Group) Kathleen Jason (Transition House) Rosemary Mullins (Loretta Bartlett Home for Youth) Karon Ann Parsons (CHANNAL) Wayne Pike, Salvation Army Tammy Priddle (Western Health) Bonnie Randell (Family Resource Center) Pat Summers (CHANNAL) Sandra Targett (Transition House) Paula Sheppard Thibeau (Corner Brook Status of Women Council) Malcolm Turner Greater Humber Joint Council Tara Welsh, (Western Health) Jerry Whiffen (Community Corrections) Rev Margie Wood (Ministerial Association) Grant Whelan (YMCA)



Appendix C: Peer Survey Note to Readers: The online version had a different outlook. The questions below are in a simple text format for the purposes of conserving space. This questionnaire is intended for people in the Corner Brook area who have experienced housing difficulties. This research values as much information as you are willing to provide. There are many questions though, most of the questions are multiple choice. All people will remain anonymous and no names will be used in any reports or information on the research results. We greatly appreciate the time you take to complete any or all of this questionnaire.

* Required Please identify which community you live in. *

1. Gender Identification * Female * Male * Other:

2a. Which year were you born? 2b. What kind of education do you have? Please check off all that apply. * High school * College * University * None of the above * Other:

3. Where do you live now? For example, is it Newfoundland & Labrador Housing, a specific group home, a specific shelter, private accommodation, etc? Exact addresses are not needed. 4a. Have you always lived here? * Yes * No

4b. If you answered "no" to the previous question, WHEN did you move here? 4c. If you moved here, what was the reason? For example, health/counselling services, education, justice system, employment, etc. 4d. In the last 12 months, how many times have you moved in and out of town? This is asking how many times you have moved into this town/city - not how many different places within town. 4e. In the last 12 months, how many times have you moved WITHIN town? 4f. What were the reasons for moving from place to place within town? Please check all that apply. 40 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


* Too expensive (could not make payments) * Got evicted * Inconvenient location * Not safe * Did not get along with people in the same house/building * Someone else offered space in their home * Not accessible * Other:

5a. What is your situation? Check ONE answer please. * Single person * Single parent with child(ren) * Part of a couple with child(ren) * Part of a couple without children * Other:

5b. If you have children, how many do you have UNDER 18? 5c. If you have children, how many do you have OVER 18?

5d. If you have children, how many grandchildren do you have? 5e. Who lives in your home? Check ALL that apply to you. * My spouse/partner * My children * My grandchildren * Other relatives * Other:

5f. For any of the people you may have checked off in the previous question, how many of each category live with you? 6. How would you describe yourself? Check the box(es) that you think best describes you. * Newfoundlander * Refugee * Landed Immigrant * Visitor to Canada * Other:

7. What language(s) do you speak/read/write fluently? Check all that apply to you..and indicate other 41 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


languages you can speak, read and/or write. * SPEAK English * READ English * WRITE English * Other:

8a. Do you have any disabilities? For example, physical, mental, learning, etc. * Yes * No

8b. If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please describe your disability(s). 9a. What kind of house are you in? In other words, is it a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom house? Only answer this if you live in a HOUSE. 9b. What kind of apartment are you in? Is it a bachelor, 1, 2 or 3 bedroom apartment? Only answer this if you live in a APARTMENT. 9c. What kind of accomodation are you in? Only answer this if you live in a place other than a house or apartment. * Single room in a boarding house * Bed sitting room * Single room * Shared room * Someone's couch * Other:

10. How many UNITS (rooms to rent or apartments to rent) are there in the building where you live? 11a. What is provided for you where you live? Check all that apply. * Furniture * Bed linens & towels * Cleaning * Snow clearing * Phone * Laundry facilities * Private bathroom * Shared bathroom * Cooking facilities * Breakfast * Lunch * Supper 42 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


11b. If any meals are provided, what comments do you have on the food? 12a. Noise Level Indicate where you rate the noise level where you live. * Not good * Okay * Good * Does not apply

12b. Privacy Indicate where you rate the privacy where you live. * Not good * Okay * Good * Does not apply

12c. Heating Indicate where you rate the heating where you live. * Not good * Okay * Good * Does not apply

12d. Air Quality Indicate where you rate the air quality where you live. * Not good * Okay * Good * Does not apply

12e. Meals Indicate where you rate the meals where you live. * Not good * Okay * Good * Does not apply

12f. Cleanliness Indicate where you rate the cleanliness where you live. * Not good * Okay * Good 43 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


* Does not apply

12g. Maintenance and Repairs Indicate where you rate the maintenance where you live.

* Not good * Okay * Good * Does not apply

12h. Lighting Indicate where you rate the lighting where you live. * Not good * Okay * Good * Does not apply

12i. Personal Safety Indicate where you rate the safety where you live. * Not good * Okay * Good * Does not apply

12j. Fire Extinguishers Indicate where you rate the extinguishers where you live. * Not good * Okay * Good * Do not exist

12k. Smoke Detectors Indicate where you rate the detectors where you live. * Not good * Okay * Good * Do not exist

12k. Kid-friendliness Indicate where you rate the kid-friendliness where you live. * Not good 44 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


* Okay * Good * Do not apply

12k. Pet-friendliness Indicate where you rate the pet-friendliness where you live. * Not good * Okay * Good * Do not apply

13. If you have any other comments on what it is like where you live, please type them below. 14. Please identify which of the following apply (as it relates to accessibility). Check off all that apply. * Two working exists (2 doors OR a door and a window that opens for an emergency exit) * Outdoor ramp that is kept clear * Hallways and doorways wide enough for wheel chairs * Bathroom fitted with handrails by toilet and bath * Other:

15a. How much do you pay for rent? Check off all that apply. 15b. Is heat and lighting included? Check off all that apply. * Yes * No * Partially

15c. If heat and lighting NOT included, how much more do you have to pay? Check off all that apply. 15d. Do you pay any additional fees/charges to your landlord ? * Yes * No

15e. If you answered "yes" to the previous question, what are the additional fees for? And how much? Please include the answers to both questions. 16. How is your rent/board paid? * I pay rent directly to the landlord. * It is paid by Human Resources, Labour & Employment (HRLE). * It is paid by Child, Youth and Family Services (CYFS). * It is paid by a pension that goes to the housing provider. * Other: 45 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


17. How much is your TOTAL rent/board each month? Please indicate if meals are included in this.

18. How much of your TOTAL financial support is paid into your rent/board? Please indicate if meals are included in this. * 0-30% * 31-40% * 41-60% * 61-70% * Over 70%

19a. Please indicate your sources of money/financial support. Please check all that apply. * Job(s) * Employment Insurance * Child Tax Benefits * Spousal/Child Support * Income Support * Disability Benefits * Workers' Compensation * Family * Pension (CPP, old age security, other) * Rebates (GST, HST, fuel allowance) * Other:

19b. Please comment on which sources (listed above) provide the most support. 20a. How do you get around town for shopping, appointments, meeting people, paying bills, health appointments, etc? Please check all that apply. * Taxi * Walking * Friends * My own car * Family * Bike * Free subsidized transportation * Other: 20b. How easy is it for you to get transportation? 1

2

3

4

5



Very difficult

Very easy

20c. How much do you spend on transportation each month? Please approximate. 21a. Where do you go to get information on housing? Please check all that apply. * Friends * Family * Hospital * Corrections Officer (Parole, RNC, RCMP) * Bulletin Boards * Correctional Centre * Human Resources, Labour and Employment (HRLE) * Child, Youth & Family Services (CYFS) * Other:

21b. How easy is it to get information? 1

2

3

4

5

Very difficult

Very easy

22a. Who is part of your support system? In other words, who do you rely on when you want/need to help? 22b. How supportive is your family of origin (the family that you were born into)? 23. What community services have you used? Please check all that apply. List any others that may apply under "Other". * NL Housing * Food Bank * Churches * Alcoholics Anonymous * Child, Youth & Family Serivces (CYFS) * Emergency Protection Order * Human Resources, Labour and Employment * Hospital * RCMP * Other:

24. Overall, how well do you think organizations work together to provide infomration and services you need? 1

2

3

4

5

Very poorly

Very well 47



25. What would help you get the housing information you need? 26. Please describe a home that would be good for you and would meet your needs. 27. Based on your answer to the previous question, what supports would you be interested in (and use) in order to keep that housing? * Work/Job * Child care * Home care * Transportation * Meals on Wheels * Help with reading/writing or filling out forms * Employment counselling * Financial/debt counselling * Addiction/mental health counselling * Other: 28a. Was there ever a time when your situation or circumstances helped you get housing? Please briefly describe. 28b. Have you ever been in a situation or circumstance that stopped from getting appropriate housing? Please briefly describe.



Appendix D: Public Survey Note to Readers: The online version had a different outlook. The questions below are in a simple text format for the purposes of conserving space. This questionnaire interested in your thoughts on the challenges of finding decent housing in your community. This is an important part of a larger research study on housing issues in your area. Please fill out the survey as best as you can. Your input and time is greatly appreciated and valued. Gender * Female * Male * Other:

Age * Under 16 years * 16-21 years * 22-29 years * 30-39 years * 40-49 years * 50-65 years * Over 65 years

Formal Education Please check all categories that you have completed. * High School * College/Trade School * University * None of the above * Other:

Town/City Place: identify which community you live in now.

Have you always lived here? * Yes * No

If you answered "no" to the previous question, what was your reason for moving here? 49 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


What best describes you? * Single person * Single person with child(ren) * Part of a couple without child(ren) * Part of a couple with child(ren) * Other:

If you have children, please indicate how many you have UNDER 18 years of age? Only answer if you have children.

If you have children, please indicate how many you have OVER 18 years of age? Only answer if you have children.

Who lives in your home? Please check all that apply. * My spouse/partner * My children * My grandchildren * Other relatives * Other:

For the people you checked off in the previous question, how many of each category live with you? For example, how many children do you have living with you?

Do you have any disabilities? * Yes * No * Other:

If you answered "yes", please describe your disability(s).

Please describe what kind of home you have? Is it a house, apartment in an apartment building, basement apartment, bed sitting room, couch, etc?

How many bedrooms do you have? *0 *1 *2 50 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


*3 * more than 4

What is provided for you where you live? Please check all that apply. * Furniture * Bed linens and towels * Cleaning * Snow clearing * Phone laundry * Private bathroom * Shared bathroom * Cooking facilities * Breakfasts * Lunches * Suppers

Please rate the noise levels where you live. * not good * okay * good * does not apply

Please rate the privacy where you live. * not good * okay * good * does not apply

Please rate the heating where you live. * not good * okay * good * does not apply

Please rate the air quality where you live. * not good * okay 51 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


* good * does not apply

Please rate the meals where you live - if they are provided. Only answer this if you have any meals provided. * not good * okay * good * does not apply

Please rate the cleanliness where you live. * not good * okay * good * does not apply

Please rate the maintenance and repair work where you live. * not good * okay * good * does not apply

Please rate the fire extinguishers where you live. * not good * okay * good * does not apply

Please rate the smoke detectors where you live. * not good * okay * good * does not apply

Please rate the kid-friendliness where you live. * not good * okay 52 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


* good * does not apply

Please rate the pet-friendliness where you live. * not good * okay * good * does not apply

Please identify which of the following apply (as it relates to accessibility). * 2 working exits (2 doors OR a door and a window that opens as an emergency exit) * Outdoor ramp that is kept clear * Hallways and doorways wide enough for wheel chairs * Bathroom fitted with handrails by toilet and bath * Other:

How is your rent/board paid? * I pay rent directly to the landlord. * It is paid by Human Resources, Labour and Employment (HRLE) * It is paid by Child, Youth and Family Services (CYFS) * It is paid by a pension that goes to the housing provider. * Other:

How much is your rent/board each month?

What does your rent include? Please check all that apply. * Heating and lighting * Telephone * None of the above * Other:

How much of your TOTAL financial support is paid into your rent/board? To find this number, calculate (amount paid in rent/board) / total financial support. * 0-30% * 31-40% * 41-60% * 61-70% 53 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


* Over 70%

How do you get around for shopping, appointments, meeting people, etc? Please check all that apply. * Taxi * Walking * Friends * My own car * Family * Bike * Free subsidized transportation * Other:

Please describe a realistic home that would be good for you and would meet your needs.

Based on your answer to the previous question, qhat supports would you b eintereted in (and use) in order to keep that housing? Check all that may apply - for example, if you do not have children, you can leave that blank. * Work/Job * Home care * Child care * Transportation * Meals on Wheels * Health with reading/writing for filling out forms * Employment counselling * Financial counselling * Addiction/mental health counselling * Other:

What would you like to see change in your community so that you can have access to better housing options. Feel free to comment on services, access to information, policies, etc.



Appendix E: Key Informant Survey Note to Readers: The online version had a different outlook. The questions below are in a simple text format for the purposes of conserving space. This questionnaire is a critical part of a research study and consultation that is intended for key informants from agencies, government departments and community groups in your area. Any and all information you are able to provide is greatly valued. Thank you very much for your time and contribution. 1a. Name 1b. Organization/Agency Website (if applicable) 2a. Organization/Agency 2b. Services Provided 2c. Service Area (geographically) 2d. Population Served 2e. Number of Clients/Consumers in Region Served 2f. Number of Clients/Consumers You Work With 2g. Number of People on Waitlist 3a. What services do you know about in your area that support people in addressing housing needs and living independently? Complete sentences are not necessary. 3b. Are the services adequate? Please name strengths and gaps. For example, home care, assisted living, social assistance, employment & career supports, subsidized housing, etc. Complete sentences not necessary. 4a. What is your opinion on the relationships between service providers and those they serve? For example, you can comment on prompt responsiveness, respect, etc. 4b. How much input do consumers/clients put into the services designed for them? Is it sufficient? 5a. Please describe the level of collaboration among service providers. Please also comment whether or not it is sufficient. 5b. Are there ways to improve this collaboration? If so, what are they? 6a. What additional supports are needed in your area to allow people to live independently? 6b. Are you aware of programs, best practices or literature about approaches that might be helpful for us (as researchers) to know about? Is it possible to share those resources/references? 7. Are there any planned (or in progress) initiatives that seem relevant to housing needs? If so, please describe them. Additional Comments Feel free to comment on this survey or anything you feel is relevant but was missed.



Appendix F: Summarized Responses to Public Surveys Public Survey Summary (14 responses) Demographics Gender Ages Highest Education Relationship Disabilities

Female (100%) 22-29 (43%), 30-39 (35%), 50-65 (7%), 65+ (14%) High School (57%), College (14%), University (71%) Single (29%), Single w/ Children (7%), Couple (43%), Couple with Children (21%) None (93%)

Rent & Finances Most (58%) pay rent to landlord directly. Ten of fourteen pay rent; the remaining four are living in temporary arrangements with friends or family until they can find their own housing. For the ten that pay rent, the average rent is $714. Thirty percent of the respondents spend 40-60% of their finances on rent. Home that would be good for me… In summary, respondents expressed a desire for a place that is reasonably small, detached, affordable in rent, insulated to keep utility costs down, etc. In other words, people want something modest, economical and well-maintained. I would like to see the following changes in my community to have better access/options…. Respondent want housing that is affordable, accessible to people with disabilities, supportive for people who have mental health issues or are aging, rental units that meet code (and someone to enforce the code), tenant rights education, housing designated for students (for transient population and without exorbitant rent), affordable homes to purchase, affordable child care, newer homes (i.e. in good repair) and more apartments.



Appendix G: Summary of Key Informant Responses Key Informant Survey (12 Respondents) A lot of anecdotal information was provided and the following only highlights topics that may be particularly relevant to people getting a sense of representation and sentiments in advance of the April 6&7th gathering. Organizations/services that were represented through key informant interviews: Corner Brook Community Youth Network Corner Brook High School Western Health (Residential Services, CYFS, School Psychology, OT, Mental Health & Addictions) Humber Valley Community Employment Corporation Dunfield Park Community Centre Corner Brook Status of Women Council United Church Family Justice Services Division (FJSD) Sir Wilfred Grenfell College (Off-Campus Housing) Transition House (Committee on Family Violence) Community Mental Health Initiative Community Youth Network Identified Places that provide support on housing/independent living: Committee on Family Violence/ Transition House Western Health NLH Community Supports & Workers Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) Home support service agencies HRL&E Community support workers CNIB Local Humber Valley Association Transition House Salvation Army Clergy YMCA

HRDC Paraplegic Association Farmdale Inc. Xavier House Transition House Red Cross CPA manor Sir Wilfred Grenfell College Lohnes Complex Birchy House Loretta Bartlett Home for Youth Food Bank Assisted Living Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation Canadian Paraplegic Association

Identified Gaps  Need clarification on who can access services and supports through CMHI.  Some youth between 16-19 years of age that do not meet all the criteria for Youth Services.  Home support Work: hours and pay limit adequate care, lack training needed 57 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


            

for clientele, shortage of workers, Lack of rental properties adequate for people with intellectual/physical disabilities. Desperately need more low income rentals. Not much for males. Very hard to find a rental place – usually places that have a vacancy have issues of alcohol/drugs which add to an already-bad situation. Seems you need to have a major challenge to qualify for any help with housing. Need Early Learning Programming. Education – as it relates to the concern for the level of education of youth living at Dunfield Park. City should install more playgrounds. Summer recreation programs for kids. Better coordination of services. More emergency/transitional housing (only Transition House and Red Cross). Local Residential Tenancies Office is temporarily closed. Housing for men who are separated and want to continue parenting their children.

Collaboration Among Service Providers:

 There is great collaboration between community groups but there is difficulty in    

bringing all partners together (particularly with government). There is no formal process for supporting one another’s work, or working side by side. There is strong affirmation for the need to collaborate with a team approach, focus groups, community consultations, Need to see a comprehensive list of people working with housing issues (a handbook). Consider a central approach where referrals are made to appropriate agencies.



Appendix H: Interview and Focus Group Listing Community Kathleen Jason, Executive Director of Transition House Valerie Simms Anderson, Project Coordinator for Community Youth Network Major Wayne Pike, Salvation Army Christine Young, CEO of YMCA Julie Crouse, Interagency Coordinator of CMHI Jade Mahoney, Mental Health Promotions Coordinator Paula Sheppherd Thibeau ED Corner Brook Status of Women Council Margaret Joyce, Outreach Coordinator for Corner Brook Status of Women Council Victoria Warren, Coordinator of Western Coalition to End Violence Government Wayne Fillier, Regional Manager for HRLE Barbara Cull, Manager (HRLE) Stephanie Baker, HRLE Liaison Social Worker Jaqueline Carey, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Constable George Paul, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Municipal Colleen Humphries, Community Planner; Justin Preece, Planning Technician Western Health Carol Ann Wight, Regional Director of Mental Health Addictions Cathy Wheeler Walsh, Regional Consultant Donna Luther, Manager of Mental Health And Addictions Inpatient Services Pam Parsons, Assertive Community Treatment Team April Dakins, Liaison Nurse Group Interview Chris Power, Valerie Chaulk, Jennifer Gale, Student, Community Youth Corrections Division Nicolle Ellsworth, Foster Care and Intake Assessment, Child Youth and Family Services Focus Groups Dunfield Park Community Center Staff: Ben Fitzgerald, Joanne Torraville, David Jones, Stephen Huxter (4 participants) Dunfield Park Community Tenants, led by Leanne Leonard and Paula Shepherd Thibeau (6 participants) Seniors Focus Group (15 participants) Students Focus Group (14 participants) CHANNAL (Bobbie - 2 participants) Salvation Army Soup Kitchen Focus Group (6 participants) Other Independent Living Resource Centre: individuals with disabilities, participation in Think Tank and presentation of the ILRC Voices of the People Report.



Appendix I: Annotated Bibliography The list of documents below are primarily intended to list and describe documents that were identified by community members as documents that may be useful in providing context and relatively recent data for Corner Brook, as it may relate to housing and homelessness issues. This list is by no means representative of all the sources used or referenced in the Community Plan itself. In fact, several of these documents are not found anywhere but in hard copy and for that purpose, the source of the document is recorded. Burry, D. (2005). An Overview of the Alternate Family Care Homes in the Western Region, A Projection of Future Needs for Residential Placements, and Recruitment Strategies for Alternate Family Care Homes. Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador: Western Regional Integrated Health Authority. This document contains a detailed table of contents. The author is a social worker within the Community Supports Branch who conducted a research study through two surveys (one to social workers and another to alternate family caregivers). She makes a case for the need for increased numbers of alternate family caregivers – for the Western Region. The appendix contains a copy of the surveys used. Aside from understanding that the community need, it is hard to identify a direct/clear connection with housing issues. A thorough read made pull out a few important details however, relative to the other documents, this would not be near the top of my reading pile. 39 pages Sent from: Tammy Priddle (Manager) at Residential Services, Western Health in Corner Brook.

The Institute for the Advancement of Public Policy & Auspex Consulting. (2007). Background Report: Affordable Housing Stock, Gaps, Trends, and Key Issues. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador: Planning and Housing Sub-Committee for City of St. John's. This thorough and formal report is exactly as the title indicates. A table of contents indicates information on abbreviations, definitions, a continuum of affordable housing, the research approach, programs that support affordable housing, demands for affordable housing and observations – as it relates to St. John’s. An appendix includes lists, profiles and summarized information in tables. This document is well referenced but provides information that is primarily specific to the St. John’s area. 40 pages plus a thick appendix (45+ pages) http://www.stjohns.ca/csj/EventDetails?id=3636&loc=W&date=3-12-2008

The Institute for the Advancement of Public Policy & Auspex Consulting. (2007). Project Report and Action Plan: Affordable Housing Study for the City of St. John's. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador: Planning and Housing Standing Committee, City of St. John's. This document is a continuation of background report by the same group of researchers. Results from interviews, consultations with clients and stakeholders, additional research and analysis are part of this report. A lot of emphasis if placed on the recommendations made as a result of the research. The reoccurring theme and identified priority seems to be creating an Affordable Housing Action Committee that would carry out the remaining five recommendations (e.g. assess concerns about quality of housing & means to address them, farm public-private partnerships, advise council on actions and positions). The detailed information is particularly contextualized for St. John’s. The appendix provides the reader with details of people, contact information, outline of meetings and focus groups but does not contain sample guidelines, questions, etc. 54 pages plus appendix http://www.stjohns.ca/csj/PubDetails?id=766

Lee, D., Budgell, M., & Skinner, J. (2007). Happy Valley-Goose Bay Community Plan for Addressing 60 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


Homelessness and Transitional Housing. Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador: Happy Valley-Goose Bay Homelessness/Transitional Housing Working Group. Research team coordinated a study on homelessness and housing issues in Happy Valley-Goose Bay in the spring of 2007. This document is well organized (with a Table of Contents and Appendices) that outlines a background, research methods, community description, results and findings, cost of not acting, prioritized recommendations, and copies of documents/surveys. This report has been recognized as being a useful and valuable report. It is suggested that future community plans on housing issues be somewhat modelled after this HV-GB project. The information is highly accessible, easy to use as a reference and contains material that can be re-used, with permission and credit. 71 pages http://vplabrador.ca/home/files/general/happy_valley_-_goose_bay_community_plan_for_addressing_homelessness.pdf

Lavers, D. (2007). Creating Healthy Homes: Planning for the Future. Community Mental Health Initiative Inc. This document is the handbook for a Planning Session on June 29, 2007 facilitated by Bruce Pearce. This session included a presentation by various key community stakeholders, a report on the research findings from CMHI’s assessment of housing needs, develop a shared vision among community stakeholders. The most value information in this booklet may be in the highlighted findings found on pp. 2-5 and pp. 12-20. 10 pages plus appendix Sent from: CHMI in Corner Brook

Randell, T. (2006). Great Humber Joint Council: Community Profiles. Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador: Unknown. This document is literally a compilation of identical templates that have been filled out for 20 communities in the Great Humber area. The information provided details contacts, population and dwelling counts, council members, services, tourism, and basic business/occupation stats. Thick photo-copied document without any online link. Sent from: CHMI in Corner Brook

Regional Integrated Health Authorities. (2007). High Cost Living Arrangements: Community Support Program. Dated May, 2007 this short document is without author or formal organization. It contains an overview of request (from the Regional Integrated Health Authorities) for information on expenditures of the Community Support Program and HRLE for the four 4 regions (Grenfell/Labrador, Western, Central, Eastern). At the end of the document there is a list of 6 recommendations that come out of the numbers collected from the collected data. 11 pages Sent from: Tammy Priddle (Manager) at Residential Services, Western Health in Corner Brook

Robinson, J. (2002). Hammer and Nail Project: Women and Housing Issues. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador: St. John's Status of Women Council and Women's Centre. A small study was conducted with limited resources in 2000-2001 that draws attention to gender issues of low income women looking for safe and secure housing in St. John’s. This document gives an overview of the housing crisis in Canada, as it relates to women (with very few references). The study found that access to affordable housing is declining in St. John’s and recommends policy changes that address income inequities, changing families and social issues (e.g. violence).



23 pages www.sjswc.ca/PDFs/handnactionresearchfinalreport.pdf Sent from: CHMI in Corner Brook

Seniors Resource Centre of Newfoundland and Labrador. (2008). Seniors' Housing Issues: Some Background Information on Demographics, Housing Figures, etc. Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador: Seniors Resource Centre of Newfoundland and Labrador. Similar to the Corner Brook booklet, this document does not have page numbers or a table of contents. It begins with (1) a power point presentation on issues in seniors’ housing for five communities in NL; (2) a brief background on this housing/homelessness initiative; (3) a background on seniors’ housing issues; (4) a summary document on the research on dbases of supportive housing for seniors in Canada; (5) a summary of the housing condition of Canada’s seniors; (6) a summary of supportive housing for homeless and hard-to-house seniors (“an in-depth case study”); (7) a summary of the impact of aging of the Canadian population on housing and communities; (8) a collection of information on seniors’ demographics and housing in NL and Atlantic Canada; (9) a summary of a housing policy kit for seniors in Atlantic Canada; (10) a photocopy of a survey report found at http:ashra/msvu.ca entitled Highlights of Atlantic Seniors’ Housing and Services Survey Report; (11) several photocopied newspaper clippings on housing. Thick document without page numbers. Sent from: CHMI in Corner Brook

Seniors Resource Centre of Newfoundland and Labrador. (2008). Seniors' Housing in Corner Brook: Some Background Information on Demographics, Housing Figures, etc. Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador: Seniors Resource Centre of Newfoundland and Labrador. This booklet appears to be a compilation of photocopied sheets (e.g. power point, photocopied newspaper clippings, tables, etc.). It begins with (1) a power point presentation on Corner Brook: A look at the 50+ population and housing presenting in October 2008; (2) summary of Corner Brook Projections for Seniors; (3) trends from Statscan census records for Corner Brook; (4) Corner Brook community profile – with information on how that information was retrieved online; (5) a collage of online news copied and pasted, city notices, news releases, newspaper clips. . Pages not numbered. Sent from: CHMI in Corner Brook

Simms-Anderson, V. (2008). Community Youth Network Youth Survey. Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador: Community Youth Network in collaboration with Humber Community YMCA. The provincial Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment (HRLE) provided a grant to fund a six-month research and development phase. As part of this research, the Humber Community YMCA was chosen as the host agency to assist in the development of a Community Youth Network (CYN)for Corner Brook. The key highlights and findings are found in a Power Point Presentation developed by Valerie Simms-Anderson, the CYN Coordinator. Electronic copy of the Power Point Presentation (44 slides, mostly graphic representations and bulleted lists of findings).

St. John's Status of Women Council. (2003). "Something's Got to Change". St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador: St. John's Status of Women Council. This organized report on housing issues begins with an executive summary that outlines the background, the key findings found from focus groups, conference calls and phone interviews – and recommendations. This project is consider one phase of a GIA Project. A detailed table of contents makes it easy for the reader to find topics within an introduction, methodology, housing issues of low income women and other groups, research findings, conclusion and recommendations. An appendix provides significant amounts of statistical data found at www.communityaccounts.ca and focus group62 Bobbie Boland, Alison Earle & Melody Morton Ninomiya


related documents that can be useful for future studies. 64 pages http://www.sjswc.ca/research.html - it has been made available in audio form www.sjswc.ca/gia/1Cover.pdf Sent from: CHMI in Corner Brook

Unknown. (Unknown). DRAFT: A Housing Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador. Community Groups across Newfoundland and Labrador. 22 pages. This document looks to be part of a draft Word document or part of a larger document with basic formatting developed by the Housing Policy Working Group, a collaboration of community, government and consultants that started in 2004. This social policy initiative outlines what they identifies as the most pressing housing problems in this province and their connection with the social conditions that the government has said it intends to address. An implementation plan with five goals set out concrete actions to improve housing conditions. Information appears to be primarily an overview with proper referencing. A final pdf copy can be found, complete with a table of contents, at the website link provided below. 22 pages www.sjswc.ca/PDFs/HousingStrategy.pdf Sent from: CHMI in Corner Brook



Appendix J: Community Statistics for Corner Brook (HPS Data Tools) COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHIC DATA (Number of individuals and percentage of total population) Total population Total Males Total Females Total children (from age 0-14) Total youth (from age 15-29) Age Total adults (from age 30-64) Total seniors (65 of age and above) Total Aboriginal individuals Total visible minorities Total in-migration (individuals moving in the community) Other Total intraprovincial in-migration Characteristics Total interprovincial in-migration Total external in-migration Total releases from federal correctional institutions Total households by type of household Sex

Total family households Total multi-family households Total non family households

Census Year 1991 Number 22,410 10,920 11,490 4,405 5,405 10,120 2,470

48.7% 51.3% 19.7% 24.1% 45.2% 11.0%

7,400 5,950 145 1,300

80.4% 2.0% 17.6%

%

1996 Number 21,895 10,520 11,375 3,910 4,835 10,310 2,835 465 185

7,785 6,145 115 1,520

48.0% 52.0% 17.9% 22.1% 47.1% 12.9% 2.1% 0.8%

2001 Number 20,105 9,530 10,575 3,140 3,850 9,885 3,215 625 140

78.9% 1.5% 19.5%

7,790 5,840 115 1,825

%

47.4% 52.6% 15.6% 19.1% 49.2% 16.0% 3.1% 0.7%

2006 Number 20,085 9,475 10,610 2,950 3,625 9,990 3,520 1,025 190

47.2% 52.8% 14.7% 18.0% 49.7% 17.5% 5.1% 0.9%

75.0% 1.5% 23.4%

8,075 5,930 150 1,995

73.4% 1.9% 24.7%

%

%



Census Year HOUSING DATA Total housing units in the community Owned Dwellings Total owned housing units Total owned housing units below at least one standard of adequacy, suitability or affordability Total owned housing units below adequacy standard Total owned housing units below affordability standard Total owned housing units below suitability standard Total owned housing units in core housing need Average monthly shelter costs for all owners in the community Rented Dwellings Total rental housing units Total rental housing units below at least one standard of adequacy, suitability or affordability Total rental housing units below adequacy standard Total rental housing units below affordability standard Total rental housing units below suitability standard Total rental housing units in core housing need Average monthly shelter costs for all renters in the community Other Housing Characteristics Total number of designated or dedicated affordable housing units in the community Total number of individuals on the community's waiting list for affordable housing units

1991 Number 7,400

%

1996 Number 7,785

%

2001 Number 7,790

%

2006 Number 8,075

%

5,150

69.6%

5,305

68.1%

5,390

69.2%

5,610

69.5%

2,250

30.4%

2,480

31.9%

2,390

30.7%

2,465

30.5%



Census Year INCOME DATA Average Household income for owners in housing units, in dollars Percentage (%) of household income spent on rent (including utilities) Average Household income for renters in housing units, in dollars Percentage (%) of household income spent on rent (including utilities) Average Household income for renters in housing units in core housing need status, in dollars Average monthly shelter cost, in dollars Percentage (%) of household income spent on shelter (including utilities) Total number of employable individuals in the community Total number of employed individuals in the community Total number of unemployed individuals in the community Unemployment rate in the community (%) Total number of individuals on social assistance in the community Total number of families (or households) on social assistance in the community Percentage (%) of household income spent on essential needs (clothing, food, drugs, transportation, education)

1991

1996

11,005 8,995 2,010 18.3 3,245

10,180 8,615 1,565 15.4 4,355

1,560

2,265

2001

2006

1,440 15.2 3,015

9,565 8,250 1,315 13.7 2,815

1,645

1,640

9,475 8,035

Note: Figures may not add to totals due to rounding. Sources: Statistics Canada, Community Accounts, 1991 Census, 1996 Census, 2001 Census and 2006 Census February 13, 2009
