Homes for Women H4W. A Housing First Approach adapted for women London, Ontario

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1 Homes for Women H4W A Housing First Approach adapted for women London, Ontario

2 Who we are An inter agency collaborative committed to developing a women s housing first program in London 3 key partners each serving vulnerable women and their children impacted by violence, homelessness, mental illness, poverty and disability Existing strong collaborations with research and academic partners My Sisters Place, Women s Community house and the Healthzone have a long standing involvement in the City of London Homelessness Planning, The London Homeless Coalition, and many coordinated initiatives for women Confirmed housing partners are CMHA Middlesex and London Middlesex Housing Our expertise is health and abuse - the 2 main pathways to women s homelessness which also impede a woman s ability to maintain housing

3 The newly amalgamated CMHA Middlesex demonstrates a commitment to bringing services together and collaborating for the benefit of our clients Combined 120 years of providing services in the community Provides community-based mental health and housing supports out of many locations across London and area One hundred percent committed to Women s Housing

4 Health Zone Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic Interdisciplinary health professional clinics focused on vulnerable and marginalized women and their families Working in identified high need neighborhoods and settings to foster preventative care and primary healthcare Increase access to quality healthcare Outreach Sites Rotholme Family Shelter My Sisters Place Women s Community House Fixed Sites Southdale Clinic Allan Rush Gardens Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre

5 My Sisters Place newly renovated on site full service clinic

6 Research and evidence based practices Violence and physical/mental health are the primary causes of women s homelessness and housing instability Women face multiple systematic barriers to housing after leaving violent partners Health effects of violence are worsened by housing instability Up to 31% of women return to abusive partners due to lack of housing Women s Health Effects Study

7 Providing safe places and services for abused women and their children. Recognizing and promoting that the physical and emotional safety of abused women and their children is the highest priority A 24-hour Abused Women s Helpline Emergency short-term shelters Second stage housing for up to one year **New community counselling and drop in centre Outreach services for women

8 Ensures safety, security and support for some of the most marginalized women facing chronic or episodic homelessness Provides a minimal barrier high CMHA Middlesex and a large tolerance safe environment network of specialized partnering building relationships with services marginalized women A support/social/safe network for Emergency services and daily women with access to ongoing support for women during housing capacity building programs to transitions improve housing stability Connects women to services within

9 The Game Changer London Community Foundation Homes for Women Planning Coordination Development Implementation Evaluation H4W Coordinator H4W Intake and Support Facilitator Key Partners, Housing Partners + A developing network of meaningful partnerships

10 Presenting Homes for Women Who are we serving? Chronic and Episodically homeless women identified to be at significant risk and least likely to succeed in housing, mental health or addictions programs based on their history Meet Melody

11 Melody s story From physical health symptoms such as chronic pain to mental health symptoms such as insomnia, dissociation, depression and suicidality, survivors of traumatic events may present with a bewildering array of symptoms or adaptations to their experiences which can greatly affect their ability to access, engage with, and benefit from services coalescing.-vc.org Mental Health & complex physical health Substance abuse Homeless Trauma Survival Sex Work Involved in an abusive relationship Pregnant Multiple incarcerations At risk of losing her children

12 Supporting Melody Gender Specific and Trauma-Informed principles Complex Hard to serve Marginalized Vulnerable Trauma-informed services take into account an understanding of trauma in all aspects of service delivery and place priority on trauma survivors safety, choice and control Emphasizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety for both providers and survivors

13 Housing Melody (with supports) H4W new coordinated system Engage Assess In home support, peer support Neighborhood Supports, primary healthcare Match Outreach supports Case Management, Community Withdrawal management Transitional Support, basic needs, drop in, leisure and life skills House and Support

14 Safety Planning 31% of women return to abusive partners due to lack of housing. Homes for women will stop this cycle and mitigate risk in all violence prone situations through: Types/choices of housing that offer safety and security Type of support Developing an individual safety plan detailing the what,who,where,when,how to call including access to a 24/7 housing support and woman abuse hotline Coordination and collaboration with London Police Services and other partners to create a circle of care

15 Housing Location and Type the housing decision will be a choice carefully made by each woman in consultation with her worker(s) based on individual needs Inventory housing types and supports available in each geographical area Assess each home for safety and appropriateness Private and rent geared to income housing Transitional and long term housing options Scattered housing in neighborhoods where women and children can become part of a thriving community

16 Length of Stay and Support Informed by a continuous needs assessment based on each woman s unique needs and driven by the goal of achieving housing stability Continued tenancy is dependent on fulfilling a landlord-tenant agreement and the client has protection under the law Some housing programs may have a maximum length of stay such as transitional housing Long range goal is to move women toward the highest level of selfreliance as possible, such that support services are not intended to continue indefinitely

17 H4W 2 year goals 50 women will be safely housed Tools and procedures will be in place London will finally have a responsive and coordinated women s housing first program to develop upon for the future, showing a commitment to the welfare and unique needs of women I see the day when homelessness does not exist, everyone will have acquired safe housing and women will finally be free and safe. (MSP Participant )

18 Meet Lisa

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