GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, December 2, 2013
10:00 am – 11:30 am
1.
Call to Order – Abe Oudshoorn, Chair
2.
Mission Statement
The London Homeless Coalition exists to advise, shape and coordinate community responses to
homelessness, and related needs for the London area.
3.
Introduction of and welcome to those in attendance
Abe Oudshoorn, UWO School of Nursing
Sarah Andrews, London Public Library
Reverand Ed Hockstra
Nancy Powers, Centre of Hope
Sean Hunter, Glen Cairn Resource Centre
Karri Wilson, St. Leonard’s
Chantelle Perreault, LHR
Brian Harris, Royal Canadian Legion
Kate Cowan, United Way
John Thompson, St. John Evangelist
Keri Walker, CMHA
Chris Merrifield, Centre of Hope Family Health Team
Kieran Williams, OrgCode Consulting
Jan Regan, Recording Secretary
Grant Martin, London CAReS
Derek Dilabbio, Independent
Doreen Hodgkinson, Independent
Shannon Dougherty, HIV/AIDS Connection
Tanya Dorie, ADSTV
Heather Callender, St. Leonard’s Society
Meghan LeCapelain, LHR
Brian Hryhorchuk, Service Canada/HRSDC
Leana Zeyl, LIHC
Amanda Feairs, CMHA
Mirella Bryant, YOU
Melissa Hardy-Trevenna, LSTAR
Jan Richardson, City of London
The details of the attendance sheets related to committees was provided to the Steering Committee.
4.
Approval of Agenda
Motion: To approve the agenda for December 2, 2013.
Moved: Derek Dilabbio
Seconded: Grant Martin
Carried.
5.
Approval of Minutes
Motion: To approve the minutes of November 4, 2013
Moved: Melissa Hardy-Trevenna
Seconded: Leana Zeyl
Carried.
6.
Introduction and Discussion with OrgCode Consultant, Kieran Williams
Through a Request for Proposal process, the London Homeless Coalition has retained OrgCode
Consulting Inc, to assist with a review and make recommendations regarding the mandate and structure
of the London Homeless Coalition to make the Coalition has efficient and effective as possible. It was
agreed that the London Homeless Coalition Mission Statement will not be changed. The review will focus
on the structure and function.
Kieran Williams, OrgCode Consultant, was introduced and provided a brief outline of the consultation
process.
OrgCode has created an email address for members of the LHC to provide comments and information.
The email address is: [email protected]
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A survey will be available through the London Homeless Coalition website starting December 3, 2013
and remaining active for two weeks. Members were encouraged to provide feedback. The survey can
be found at: https://www.research.net/s/LondonHomelessCoalition
Kieran will also be interviewing members of the LHC. It is expected that a draft report will be provided at
the end of January and a final report with recommendations will be presented in February 2014.
7.
Business Arising from November 4, 2013 minutes
7.1
OW Rates Advocacy Project
The Social Assistance Review Commission Report outlined recommendations to Social Assistance
Benefits. One of these recommendations is to increase the amount for single adults receiving
Ontario Works by $100 a month. The full report can be reviewed by visiting:
http://www.socialassistancereview.ca/commission-publications
At the May 2013 meeting it was suggested that the three groups including: OW/ODSP Advocates;
CYN Ending Poverty; and representatives from the London Homeless Coalition meet to develop an
action/advocacy plan that they all could support.
A ‘by the numbers’ has been included on the flip side of the flyer (attached), highlighting things such
as ‘what are the rates’, ‘market rent rates’, ‘comparative data’, etc.
Adequate Rates flyer.pdf
Abe presented the advocacy campaign to the Community and Protective Services Committee on
November 25, 2013 and received unanimous support. The advocacy campaign will be presented
to City Council on December 3, 2013 for final approval and endorsement.
Abe met with Jeff Yurek, MPP, Elgin/Middlesex and MP, Theresa Armstrong to discuss the
advocacy project and has received positive support. Abe has time scheduled to meet with MPP,
Peggy Sattler and MPP, Deb Matthews.
Action:
i)
Members of the LHC were encouraged to email their local MPPs following Abe’s meetings.
ii)
Melissa Hardy-Trevenna will draft an email template for members to follow when contacting
their MPPs.
7.2
Soup ‘N Bread – November 15, 2013 – 12:00 noon – Covent Garden Market
The event went well; great mix of attendees; good media coverage. A thank you was provided to
all who contributed to the event; including LSTAR, Mission Services, The Salvation Army Centre of
Hope, My Sisters’ Place, City of London, Shelley Yeo and those who donated items for the free
store.
7.3
Harm Reduction– Sample Position Statement
On behalf of a small working group, Grant Martin presented a draft position statement on Harm
Reduction for review and discussion by the LHC membership. The purpose of a position statement
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is not to focus on specific strategies but to provide the overarching philosophy and principles of
harm reduction. This will assist in developing a response to more focussed strategies.
Discussion and thoughts included:
- It is preferred that the LHC have prepared position statements available in the event the media
requests a statement, to be proactive with an answer rather than providing an: “I don’t know’
response”.
- This statement provides an opportunity for the LHC to develop statements on issues such as:
Methadone Maintenance; Needle Exchange; Supervised Injection Site; and Withdrawal
Management
- In preparation the working group reviewed Vancouver, Winnipeg and Toronto’s statements
- Strong support was received for position statements in general
Recommendation: To accept the position statement on Harm Reduction noting the following
amendments:
i) Change the word drug and drug use to substance and substance use
ii) Remove the last sentence under Definition: “It benefits everyone.”
Moved: Abe Oudshoorn
Seconded: Melissa Hardy-Trevenna
Carried.
LHC-Position-Statem
ent-Harm-Reduction.pdf
7.4
8.
Urban Aboriginal Homeless Individuals and Families
The cultural competency project continues to move forward and meetings are being scheduled with
identified community leaders. A half day information/learning session is being planned for March
2014. The development of a community plan focusing on London Aboriginal People experiencing
homelessness is on hold pending the conclusion of the project.
Standing Items
8.1
Update from Steering Committee
No report.
8.2
City Updates – Jan Richardson, Manager, Homeless Prevention
i)
Homeless Prevention System for London
The Housing Prevention System has five areas of focus including: Securing Housing; Housing
with Support; Housing Stability; Shelter Diversion; and, Strategy, Capacity and Competency.
The following highlights some of the work underway:
 Court to Home/Diversion – a consultant has been retained and a pilot project will be
initiated in the new year
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 Hospital to Home / Emergency Department Diversion – the City is part of the SWLHIN and
Emergency Department initiative
 Housing Stability Fund – in effect since April 1, 2013 providing assistance for low income
Londoners (not just individuals/families receiving OW/ODSP assistance) with last month’s
rent, emergency utility arrears and moving expenses. An evaluation of the use of the
Housing Stability Fund has been undertaken to consider the policies and use of funds.
 Integration/Data and Case Management System – there was a delay in the start-up phase
of HIFIS as a result of the provincial funding changes. Other information systems and
assessment tools are being explored, including SPDAT (Service Prioritization Decision
Assistance Tool), prior to moving forward. A SPDAT demo is being scheduled for January
2014.
 Shelter Operators have been meeting every three to four weeks since July 2012 to
determine what needs to be in place as a shelter response, diversion and rapid housing.
 Shelter Specialization – a Managed Alcohol Program working group has been meeting
since the summer. A consultant will be retained to explore and develop a business plan to
present to the SWLHIN outlining what it will take to have a managed alcohol program in
London.
 The City is reporting to the Homeless Prevention System Implementation Team on a
regular basis.
 RFP’s to retain a consultant to develop a ‘Community Plan to Address, Reduce and
Prevent Youth Homelessness’ and a ‘Community Plan Regarding Street Involved Sex
Work’ have closed. Successful consultants will be announced at the next meeting.
 A Community Plan focussing on Aboriginal Individuals/Families experiencing
homelessness is on hold pending the conclusion of the cultural competency project.
 United Way/Shelter/LMHC – housing from shelter project underway
 National Veterans Project has provided great learning. Four sites across Canada are
providing different housing first models. London focuses on scattered private sector
housing. The research and evaluation of the project concludes March 31, 2014 and a
symposium will be held in March to profile the research findings. All sites have committed
to continue to provide housing and support to all Veterans housed in the project. A manual
looking at best practices will be developed in hopes of assisting other communities.
 Transitioning London CAReS to London’s Homeless Prevention System was approved by
City Council in October. An RFP is posted and will close December 6, 2013.
 At the September OW/ODSP Community Advocates meeting, it was agreed that the City of
London would hold a meeting regarding solutions to bed bugs in London. Different
organizations are providing a response to bed bugs, but there is no real understanding of
‘who does what’. A small working group has been formed and a focussed meeting has
been scheduled to provide an opportunity to clarify who does what and to start an action
plan.
9.
Other Business
9.1
Updates from Representatives Serving on Other Committees
i) All Our Sisters Conference – May 12 – 14, 2014
Invitations to presenters have been sent out and fundraising efforts are underway. Contact
Shelley Yeo if you are interested in volunteering on any of the working group committees.
Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month.
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9.2
Update on Respite Centre
A number of key organizations began discussions several years ago in response to a need for a
medical respite and palliative care service to support individuals in London experiencing
homelessness.
Financial support was received from the City of London and Sisters of St. Josephs and a
Consultant has been retained to look at other communities, models and best practices to develop a
plan for a model in London to be presented to the SWLHIN. The London Regional AIDS Hospice is
the host agency.
9.3
Homeless Partnering Strategy – Community Entity
Current funding allocations will conclude March 31, 2014. Subject to change, the Homeless
Partnering Strategy, through Employment and Social Development Canada has announced a five
year funding model from April 1, 2014 – March 31, 2019 focussing on ‘Moving Forward on Housing
First”. Funding levels for London will remain unchanged at $513,214/year.
A motion was put forth: That the London Homeless Coalition supports the City of London to
remain as the community entity for the Homelessness Partnering Strategy.
Discussion:
Since 1999/2000 HPS has required that areas receiving federal funding have a Community
Advisory Board (CAB) and a Community Entity (CE). The London Homeless Coalition is the
Community Advisory Board and the City of London, is supported by the Community Advisory Board
to be the Community Entity. The Community Entity maintains the contractual requirements with the
federal government, receives the allocation, issues sub-project funding agreements, allocates
funding and maintains all reporting requirements.
Current funding allocations conclude March 31, 2014 and it was confirmed that current funded
agencies will be receiving termination of funding letters.
HPS has not released the terms and conditions of its new five year funding model. It is unclear at
this time how the new funding will be allocated to City projects. As part of the consultation
process, OrgCode will explore the relationship between the federal government, London Homeless
Coalition and the City of London in regards to the funding mechanisms.
Motion: That the London Homeless Coalition supports the City of London to remain as the
community entity for the Homelessness Partnering Strategy.
Moved:
Abe Oudshoorn
Seconded: Melissa Hardy-Trevenna
Carried.
10.
Announcements
10.1 General Announcements
ii) ADSTV – Stage for Change – December 10, 2013 at Aeolian Hall – 7:00 – 9:00 pm
iii) Brian Harris, Royal Canadian Legion – project to be undertaken to build/acquire housing for
homeless Veterans in London.
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11.
Next Meeting: Monday, January 6, 2014 (10:00am to 11:30am) Central Public Library, 251 Dundas
Street, 2nd floor meeting room. Meeting Adjourned: 11:30 am
Note: If parking at the Citi Plaza you can pick up an automated ticket inside the library, which can be used to
reduce the parking fee. Entrance to the parking garage at Citi Plaza is on the north side of King Street, just
past Clarence St.
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