Recreation, Culture & Social Support Services
Homelessness: 2010 Housing Needs Count
As part of an ongoing effort to better understand and find a solution to the problem of homelessness in the region, a survey was conducted in Fort McMurray in October 2010 to identify individuals without a permanent residence. The results of this survey are outlined in the 2010 Housing Needs Count document below.
2010 Housing Needs Count
The 210 survey found 319 individuals who identified themselves as being without a permanent residence, a significant 41.9-per-cent decline from October 2008 when the count identified 549 individuals.
There is keen interest in the 2010 count since it is the first one since the Municipality officially adopted Heading Home: The Right Thing to Do, the 10-year plan to end homelessness by emphasizing “housing first.” (You can download and read the plan below.) The “housing first” approach stresses that once homeless people have stable housing, then other issues that may have contributed to their homelessness or other problems can then be addressed, with the likelihood of greater success. This "housing first" philosophy is one of the contributing factors in the decrease in homelessness.
Homelessness
Recognizing that seeking out solutions to homelessness in our community would take a full community effort, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is committed to leading such a community-based initiative. The first step in this process was the formation of the Homelessness Initiatives Steering Committee whose first task was to assist in the development of the Community Plan on Homelessness and Affordable Housing in 2000. The group came together again to complete an update in 2004 and seeing the value of working together has continued to meet and to share information and resources to seek out solutions to homelessness in our community. The Plan identifies gaps in the social housing infrastructure of our community and incorporates ideas for solutions and potential partners.
The Homelessness Initiatives Strategic Committee:
- United Way
- Alberta Health Services
- Wood Buffalo Housing & Development Corp
- Aboriginal representative
- Community at large
- Industry representative
- RMWB Management
- Service Canada
- Housing & Urban Affairs
- Alberta Employment & Immigration
The provincial and federal governments have also responded to the needs of homeless individuals and families in our community by providing funding through a partnership with the Municipality. The Municipality disburses these funds to local agencies for the purpose of developing projects that address gaps identified in the Community Plan. When funds come available the Municipality advertises a call for proposals and holds information sessions for interested applicants to learn more about the priorities identified in the Community Plan and how to apply for funding.
The Community Plan on Homelessness
The Community Plan on Homelessness is a partnership with municipal, provincial and federal governments to increase services to the homeless and near homeless individuals in our community. The Municipality assists agencies in coordinating services identified as gaps in the community plan, and by advocating for ongoing operational dollars. Funding for the plan is allocated to agencies on an annual basis.
Downloads
Annual Service Delivery Plan 2009
Fort McMurray Housing Needs Count 2008
Community Plan on Homelessness 2007-2010
Youth Housing Needs Report 2007
Executive Summary on Youth Homelessness 2007
Community Plan on Homelessness (CPH) Annual Report 2005-2006
Housing Needs Survey Analysis, 2006
Report on Housing Needs in Fort McMurray, 2006
Archived Information
Community Plan on Homelessness, 2004
Housing Needs Count, 2004
Housing Needs Count, 2003
Homelessness Brochure, November 2003
Homelessness Newsletter, April 2003
Community Plan on Homelessness, 2000-2003
Community Plan on Homelessness (CPH) Annual Report, 2002
Community Plan on Homelessness (CPH) Annual Report, 2001
