Housing First is a homeless assistance approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, thus ending their homelessness and serving as a platform for pursuing personal goals and improving quality of life. This approach is guided by the belief that people need basic necessities like food and a place to live before attending to other matters, such as getting a job, budgeting properly, or attending to substance use issues. Housing First is based on the understanding that choice is valuable in housing selection and support services, and that exercising that choice is likely to make a person more successful in remaining housed and improving their life.
The Housing First Program is located at 129 Hereford Avenue in the Ganges village.
It is an approach to ending homelessness which focuses on moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and permanent housing as a first step. The goal is to provide people with access to housing with no housing “readiness” or compliance requirements (for instance, sobriety). This recovery-oriented approach focuses on self-determination, consumer choice and community integration. It is a rights-based intervention rooted in the philosophy that all people deserve housing, and that adequate housing is a precondition for recovery.
The model contends that stable housing is a primary need and that once this requirement is met supports to address mental and physical health or substance use can be more effectively implemented.
Island Community Services operates the Housing First program on Salt Spring Island providing person-centered support to obtain and retain housing. Individual’s needs are evaluated on a case by case basis as situations are unique.
The program may assist with startup costs for individuals moving into housing, or provides rental supplements to those who meet program criteria. Since Salt Spring Island is facing an acute housing crisis, assistance often involves helping people relocate to off-island areas, which have more housing and supports available.
The program also helps individuals with navigating government systems, obtaining income assistance or disability and acquiring identity documentation such as birth certificates. At times it provides in-home supports and advocacy for people at risk of eviction. The program makes referrals to other resources as necessary, including provincial ministry financial aid workers, drug and alcohol counsellors, senior’s supports and mental health resources.
The Housing First program operates out of a centrally-located office in down town Ganges which allows for accessibility and confidentiality. Individuals are seen through appointments with Case Management Workers from M-F with Tuesdays being drop-in days, where services are on a first come first served basis. People have access to the computer, phone and WIFI.
The Housing First program serves over 200 individuals across Salt Spring Island, many of whom face multiple barriers.
Interagency Housing Committee
Island Community Services hosts a multi-organizational committee on a monthly basis to assist individuals and families with serious housing challenges. Available housing resources are made use of by matching tenants based on need to housing operator capacity while ensuring cost effectiveness. The Interagency Housing Committee encourages a collaborative, person-centered approach to housing resources to promote successful tenancies and to reduce rates of eviction and homelessness.
Tuesday Outreach
The weekly Outreach program is available on Tuesdays during Food Bank hours. It provides community members with showers, hygiene supplies, harm reduction supplies, clothing, WIFI access as well as referrals to internal and external programs.
The Housing First Program is primarily funded by the Government of Canada Reaching Home program and BC Housing. Donations, grants and project funding also add to the range of services provided through this program.
To find out more contact Island Community Housing First Program at (250) 537-9971 ext. 234.
