The Community Homelessness Report (CHR) is the community’s self-assessment of their progress in implementing the federal government’s Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy. It is an annual reporting deliverable that supports communities to prevent and reduce homelessness using a more coordinated, systems-based and data-driven response.
Communities must use their Reaching Home outcome data, as reported in their Community Homelessness Reports, to highlight where they should focus their efforts to prevent and reduce homelessness in the coming years. This includes developing and/or updating clear plans of action that help them to reach their homelessness reduction targets and to leverage the collective efforts of service providers working across the community, over and beyond Reaching Home-funded service providers.
Reaching Home directives
Self-assessment
In 2022, Hastings County’s current homelessness figures are above target, but the community has the tools and partnerships in place (e.g., BNL, HIFIS, VCA development) to work toward meaningful reductions in homelessness over the coming year.
Community-level outcomes
While monthly outcomes were not mandatory for this period, Hastings County reported on five key outcomes using their BNL:
| Outcome | March 2023 Result | 2024 Target |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Fewer people experiencing homelessness | 133 people | 67 people |
| 2: Fewer people newly identified as homeless | 14 people | 7 people |
| 3: Fewer returns to homelessness | 2 people | 1 person |
| 4: Fewer Indigenous peoples experiencing homelessness | 21 people | 10 people |
| 5: Fewer people experiencing chronic homelessness | 94 people | 47 people |
- Targets are set for 2024, aiming to reduce homelessness by 50% across all metrics.
- The community is using federal definitions and standards for reporting but did not use HIFIS-generated reports yet for this cycle.
Indigenous collaboration
- Hastings County continues to build partnerships with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.
- Staff received culturally sensitive training and efforts are ongoing to improve Indigenous representation on the Community Advisory Board (CAB).
- There is no Indigenous CAB member yet, but discussions and outreach (e.g., to Loyalist College Indigenous faculty) are in progress.
Outcomes-based approach
- Hastings County has a Quality By-Name List (BNL) verified by the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH).
- Data is maintained in both Excel and HIFIS, with a transition plan to move fully to HIFIS.
- Monthly demographic and outcomes data can be generated, and targets have been set.
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