Learn how to develop programs or link to existing services designed to help your tenants meet their goals and foster social inclusion and economic well-being.

1. Tenant Relation Forum
New Brunswick Non Profit Housing Association
Allison Ferris
Ben Appleby

2. Introduction
How do we build and foster a strong
vibrant community?

3. Agenda
• Community Development
• Develop community engagement plan for
residents living in Non Profit Housing
• Best Practices
• Identify issues / barriers

4. Opening
• Stimulate Interest with:
– a noteworthy event
– a personal experience
– a testimonial
– a quotation

5. Community Within a
Community
• How do we develop a community and
foster a safe living environment?
– Education: Activities providing residents with
new knowledge or skills
– Engagement: Activities empowering
residents to feel connected, valued and
purposeful

6. Cont.
– Community building: Activities facilitating
resident participation, building relationships
around residents, and strengthening resident
connections with the broader community
– Sustainability: Activities promoting increased
self-sufficiency, food security, energy
efficiency, recycling.

7. • Housing communities are healthier when
residents are engaged in shaping and
improving their community. Engage
residents to identify their needs, recognize
their voices, and establish appropriate
solutions.
• Key word THEIR!
Resident engagement is
fundamental to success

8. Services must be
responsive to residents
• Build on available resources
• The specific needs of each resident group
create demand for a variety of service
delivery options.
• Often residents have knowledge and skills,
and community-based organization have
resources to draw on.
• Resources and expertise of the partners
shape the program at each site.

9. Inclusion, dignity and
respect
• An atmosphere of dignity and respect for all
residents is essential.
• Program participation and, therefore,
resident engagement, will increase when
residents feel welcome and included, when
diversity is embraced and celebrated.
• Open, clear and respectful communication is
essential for meaningful participation by
residents, staff and the community.

10. Accountability to residents
and the community
• The health, well-being and safety of
residents and staff are of the highest
importance.
• Periodic reviews and assessments to confirm
services are effectively meeting program
objectives and appropriate practices are in
place.
• Transparency - make sure that
communication is open on all fronts.

11. How do we start?
• Foster resident involvement and work
with existing service providers
• Mental Health
• Social Development
• Food Purchasing Clubs
• VON -Wellness Clinics
• Connect to Government / Community/ Natural
supports

12. Goals
• To improve resident health and well-being
• To improve resident capacity, resilience and
self-sufficiency
• To strengthen resident engagement
• Build relationships among residents, as well
as connections with resources in the
broader community

13. Outcomes
• Increased sense of connection among
residents
• Increased resident participation in
activities, programs and resources, onsite
or with local community partners
• Increased skill and knowledge among
residents

14. Identify issues
• Barriers
• Government / Community / Natural
supports
• Best practices
• Accessing service (intake, referral, follow-
up)
• Available resources

15. Supports
• Government
• Community
• Natural

16. Best Practices
• What do you do in your community?
• Foster relationships with community
partners
• Saint John -ODP / STAR

17. Organized Departure
Program
Housing Alternatives Inc.

18. Guiding
Principles
Collaboration
Client-
centred
Voluntary
Self-reliance

19. SPDAT
Service Prioritization Decision Assistance
Tool

20. 4 Domains of Assessment and
Follow Up
Wellness Risks
Socialization
& Daily
Functions
Housing
History

21. Average Client Profile
Organized Departure Program
• Age 43
• Unemployed
• On Social Assistance, $537/month
• Grade 9 education level
• Currently homeless, living in a shelter
• Suffering from a mental health issue, often affecting daily
functioning
• History of substance use issues, may have achieved limited
sobriety
• Has suffered some form of abuse and/or trauma
• Involved in numerous high risk situations per month
• At least one interaction with emergency services in the last 1-
3 months

22. 32
30
25
19
16
Intake
Move In 1 Month 3 Month 6 Month
SPDAT Score
SPDAT Score
8 8
11
12
11
15
Intake
Move In 1 Month 3 Month 6 Month
12 Month
SPDAT Score
SPDAT Score

23. What Homelessness Costs
$0 $2,000 $4,000 $6,000 $8,000 $10,000$12,000
Hospital Bed
Provincial Jail
Shelter Bed
Rental Supplement
Social Housing
Monthly Cost ($)
•$199.92
•$701
•$1932
•$4333
•$10900
•*Gaetz, Stephen (2012). “The Real Cost of Homelessness: Can We Save Money by Doing the Right Thing?” Toronto, Ontario. Web. 25
Nov. 2013. http://www.homelesshub.ca/ResourceFiles/costofhomelessness_paper21092012.pdf

24. Action Plan
– Action steps
– Materials needed
– Training needed
– Schedules
– Costs
– where additional information is needed
assign responsibility to the logical person

25. Close
• Insure understanding
• Describe first steps
• Get commitment