Kelly Goz and Joyce Zuk address Windsor City Council, January 9, 2017. (Photo by Maureen Revait) Kelly Goz and Joyce Zuk address Windsor City Council, January 9, 2017. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
Windsor

Taking A New Approach To Chronic Homelessness

After the most comprehensive study into homelessness in the region, community partners are taking a new approach to end chronic homelessness.

In April 2016, the City of Windsor, in partnership with the Homeless Coalition, conducted a point in time count of homeless people in the community. The study concluded that around 201 people are without a place to call home at any given time.

"Windsor has never done anything to this extent before, so this will allow us to have that bench mark data moving forward that we will continue to replicate every two years," says Kelly Goz, coordinator of housing administration and development with the City of Windsor.

As part of the study, those surveyed who provided consent will become part of a "by-names" list to prioritize service delivery by community partners.

Goz says this approach will provide personal service at the right time, and at the right place in hopes of stopping the cycle of chronic homelessness.

"We want to really look at a no wrong door approach, so that when you come in and tell me your story once, we will take on the administrative burden to ensure you receive the right supports, as opposed to sending you from service to service to service," says Goz.

The coalition hopes to have the "by-names" system in place by April of 2017.

Previously service was delivered based on a "first in the door" approach, but with the "by-names" approach, everyone will be triaged and directed to the most appropriate service provider based on the most immediate need.

"There's more of an accountability when you know somebody who is homeless by their name, you know their situation, you are more accountable to those individuals. So by using a by-names list it is by name, it is not by date it is by name, the situation, the person," says Goz.

This approach has proven successful in other parts of Canada. Service providers like Family Services Windsor-Essex, the Downtown Mission and others have all agreed to come to the table to be part of this solution.

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