Agenda Package - City of Vernon

Evaluation of Homelessness Strategy for the North Okanagan
Recommendation - Programmìng: While programming is a logical outcome of the strategic
planning effort, during the course of the investigation a number of discussions focused on
various aspects of programming. Without pre-judging the relative merits of these ideas and
suggestions in terms of programming, which is best left to the strategic planning effort where
priorities are defined by those engaged in the planning process, the following
suggestions/recommendations are proposed:
. Communication amongst agencies is very good but it could be better' Moving forward it
is important to improve on interagency communication.
. The challenge of homelessness is not a single event but an ongoing effort. A stable
funding base is critical to long term success'
. There is a gap in transitional housing for women, youth and seniors (the emerging
homeless) that needs to be addressed'
. A detox centre/service continues to be a critical, unfilled need for Vernon and the North
Okanagan.
. Programming tends to be driven by the availability of funding first and less by priority
need.
. There needs to be a greater focus on programming that adequately accommodates
concurrent disa bilities/issues.
. Homelessness is changing as are the homeless. lt is important to match programming
with these changes.
. Some form of succession planning is important if ongoing momentum and effectiveness
of efforts is to be maintained.
o Future programming should focus on a hand up not a hand out. Some individual
accountability should be attached to more of the programming efforts.
. Volunteers are an important component of programming but they often lack the skills
necessary to be effective.
Conclusion:
The accomplishments achieved in Vernon and the North Okanagan over the past four
years should not be underestimated nor unappreciated - they are real and significant. A
proactive, collaborative, inclusive and effective approach with a substantive track record of
success is already in place. Success in moving forward will require building on this foundation;
taking these best practices and solidifying them. But as importantly, success in moving forward
will require a new understanding of a changing and challenging situation; more specificity and
accountability, a renewed commitment and substantial effort. Given the record to date these
challenges will most certainly be addressed.
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Lochaven Management Consultants Ltd.
November 2010
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