Canadian Evaluation Society Vancouver - June 2003

National Homelessness Initiative:

Evaluation Findings and Policy Renewal

Sylvie Guibert and Catherine MasséHuman Resources Development Canada

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Presentation Overview

• The National Homelessness Initiative

• The NHI Evaluation: Methodology and Findings

• Impact of Findings and Policy Renewal

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The National Homelessness Initiative (NHI)

• With the NHI’s launch in December 1999, the Government recognized that a concerted federal response was needed to address this growing, visible social problem

• A unique community-focused approach was adopted to facilitate community action and ownership

• Addressing locally identified needs

Homelessness Initiative - $753 M Key Federal Players

Other (Planning, Research, etc.)$9 M

Supporting CommunitiesPartnership

Initiative (SCPI)$305 M

Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative

$10 M

ResidentialRehabilitation

AssistanceProgram$268 M

Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS)$59 M

Shelter Enhancement Program$43 M

Youth Homelessness Component

$59 M

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FederalDepartments &

Agencies

Working Together at the Local Level

Non - Profit Groups

Municipalities

PrivateSector

Provinces & Territories

Communities

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Evaluation Approach

Timelines• Evaluation conducted between Fall 2001 and Fall 2002

Scope• HRDC components (SCPI, Youth, Aboriginal Homelessness,

Research) + overall NHI coordination• Implementation issues• Early outcomes

Main method• Case study approach (20 out of 61 SCPI communities)

Case selection• Communities reflect variation among all SCPI communities

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Evaluation Approach (cont’d)

Sources of evidence for case studies• Review of documents (community and project-level)• Review of project-level data • Key informant interviews

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Findings

Results on implementation• HRDC components were coordinated, but more inter-

departmental coordination is required• SCPI provided an appropriate balance between

flexibility and accountability• Community planning is a valuable exercise• Limited initial terms and conditions resulted in delays in

allocating funds to Aboriginal and Youth projects• Research results are still pending

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Findings (cont’d)

Results on early outcomes• SCPI enhanced existing capacity in most communities• HRDC funding built upon existing funding• Funds were allocated to a wide variety of projects but work

remains to address transitional needs

Success factors• Community control over funding allocation• Flexible terms and conditions• Requirement for community planning• HRDC regional and local staff

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Impact of Findings

The use of evaluation results• Benchmark government and community progress• Report back to stakeholders on local progress• Identify “lessons learned” on community-based

program delivery• Inform policy and program renewal

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Renewed Program Policy

The findings of the evaluation were critical in• Guiding the development of renewed program

policy

• Determining roles and responsibilities of other federal departments in the NHI

• Contributing to the recently announced federal Budget allocation of $405 million for a three-year extension of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI)

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Extended NHI

The extended NHI, responding to evaluation findings, includes• A stronger focus on transitional and supportive interventions, as well

as prevention• A requirement for demonstrated Youth and Aboriginal representation

in community planning and decision-making• The provision of strategic direction, clear guidelines and a

streamlined template to help communities to update their community plans

• An extension of the Research and the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) components for an additional three years

• Clearer roles and responsibilities for senior management in federal departments and in the regions, ensuring a cohesive and coherent federal approach to addressing homelessness.

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The evaluation report will soon be available on the Internet at: http://www11.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/pls/edd/hrdc.main

For further information, contact:

Catherine Massé, Evaluation Manager

Evaluation & Data Development

Human Resources Development Canada

Section 3D, Phase IV, 140 Promenade du Portage

Gatineau (Hull), QC K1A 0J9

catherine.masse@hrdc-drhc.gc.ca

Tel : 819-953-8094 Fax : 819-953-7887

Sylvie Guibert, Manager, Business Planning and Evaluation

National Secretariat on Homelessness

Human Resources Development Canada

165 Hotel-de-Ville Street

Gatineau (Hull), QC K1A 0J9

sylvie.guibert@hrdc-drhc.gc.ca

Tel: 819-997-9917 Fax: 819-994-4211