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

Current State Analysis The Current State Analysis identifies key changes since the Strategy was adopted in 2019, and highlights system conditions, service pressures and emerging trends to be considered in the development of the Framework. In addition, the five strategic directions in the current Strategy were reviewed to assess their status, continued relevance and identify pressures currently impacting homelessness in Richmond. Based on the Current State Analysis, seven emerging trends were identified and are outlined in Table 1. Table 1: Current State Analysis: Emerging Trends The Current State Analysis, combined with findings from the engagement process outlined below, will support the development of the Framework to ensure consideration is given to the broader system context, promising practices from other regions, existing data and a Richmond-specific context. What We Heard To further inform the development of the Framework, a broad spectrum of individuals were engaged, including those with lived and living experience of homelessness, community groups and organizations, service providers, outreach workers, health sector representatives, staff of government agencies, including Vancouver Coastal Health and BC Housing, and members of the public including residents, employees and business owners to help inform the What We Heard Summary. There was a total of 32 engagement activities, including a Let’s Talk Richmond survey. Details of each activity and its reach are outlined in Table 2. Current Trends Related to Homelessness Description Housing affordability and availability pressures Housing affordability remains one of the clearest structural drivers of homelessness in Richmond. Health, mental health, substance use and brain injury complexity People experiencing homelessness in Richmond are reporting significant and overlapping health challenges including mental health challenges, substance use, medical conditions or illness and brain injury. Service navigation, continuity of care and system capacity People experiencing homelessness often need to navigate many separate systems within a sector that is operating at near capacity and where both complexity of need and demand for services continue to evolve. Funding stability and housing system uncertainty Provincial and federal governments have responsibility for funding many aspects of housing, health, income support and homelessness. When funding is uncertain or unavailable, organizations must stretch available resources to meet community needs. Public space, stigma and community response Municipalities must balance the needs, dignity and safety of people who are unhoused with concerns related to public access, cleanliness, fire risk, park use, nearby businesses, residents and community safety. Public concern and stigma can also affect service delivery. Factual and compassionate communication is a necessary part of the homelessness response. Food insecurity Food insecurity is closely connected to homelessness and housing instability and rising food costs, high rents, low incomes and limited access to cooking facilities or places to appropriately store food, especially perishable items, which increases vulnerability. Housing as a human right A rights-based approach to housing is increasingly shaping homelessness planning and service delivery in Canada. Homelessness responses need to reflect dignity, non-discrimination, inclusion, meaningful participation and accountability, particularly for people in greatest housing need.

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