Homelessness Strategy Guiding Framework – Current State Analysis and What We Heard Report

Table 3: What We Heard: Highlights In addition to the themes that emerged through the engagement activities and as part of the surveys, respondents were asked what the City’s priorities should be for the Framework. While the two groups emphasized different priorities for a Richmond-specific response to homelessness at times, the most selected response from both the public and targeted surveys was services for people experiencing homelessness, such as emergency shelter, outreach, daytime programs and access to basic hygiene supports. The next highest responses included supporting people to get and keep housing, advocating for health, mental health and substance use supports and increasing affordable rental housing in Richmond (Figure 1). These priorities reinforce the interconnected aspects of housing and health care, especially as it relates to mental health, substance use and addiction. They highlight the importance of greater access to Theme Description Housing affordability and housing stability were the strongest cross-cutting concerns Participants consistently identified the need for more affordable rental housing, deeply affordable housing, rent-geared-to-income housing, supportive housing and practical supports that help people stay housed. People need immediate supports while long-term housing solutions are developed People who are currently unhoused need practical supports, including shelter, washrooms, showers, laundry, storage, food, public phones, transportation, harm reduction supplies and safe places to rest. One-size-fits-all housing and shelter models are not working for everyone Participants called for more tailored housing, shelter and support options for seniors, women, Indigenous people, youth, people with disabilities, people with complex health needs, people in recovery, people using substances, newcomers, people with pets, couples and families. Seniors emerged as a priority population Seniors were repeatedly identified as a growing concern, including seniors becoming homeless for the first time later in life, aging while unhoused, living in vehicles or RVs, staying in unsafe informal arrangements or remaining in precarious housing. Health, mental health, substance use and homelessness are deeply connected Participants connected homelessness to physical health, mental health, substance use, trauma, disability, aging, acquired brain injury, chronic illness, overdose risk and hospital discharge. Considerations include framing health as a primary partner in homelessness response, expanded health sector participation in planning and advocating for stronger mental health, substance use, detox, treatment recovery and harm reduction supports. Public stigma, misinformation and community resistance are affecting what is possible Stigma and public attitudes were raised across almost every engagement stream. People with lived and living experience described being judged, stereotyped and treated without dignity. Public safety and public space concerns need to be addressed without criminalizing homelessness Participants raised concerns about people sheltering outdoors, fire risk, litter, open substance use and the condition of public spaces, while also emphasizing that these issues reflect deeper gaps in housing, shelter, health care, harm reduction, income, outreach and support systems. The City has an important role in convening, enabling, advocating and tracking progress Participants recognized that the City cannot solve homelessness alone, but identified an important City role in convening partners, supporting coordination, enabling housing through municipal tools, identifying land and opportunities, supporting public education, advocating to senior governments particularly regarding housing and health care, helping track progress and clarifying roles.

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