Working together to align, build upon and improve our response to homelessness.
What is the Alignment Project?
Communities across British Columbia have been working hard to address homelessness. It’s a complex issue that needs many people and groups working together to respond.
We’re aligning two strategies to improve how we respond to homelessness:
This is called the BC and Federal Coordinated Access System and Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) Expansion Alignment Project. Referred to as the Alignment Project.
It brings people, organizations and systems onto the same path to prevent and reduce homelessness.
Building better systems with partners
Our goal is to ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. We’re coordinating roles, responsibilities, technology, and tools across both existing and new programs.
BC Housing is working with:
- Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC)
- Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs
- The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH)
Together, we’re helping communities build better systems, improve what’s working, and solve challenges. We’ll keep our partners updated as we move forward.
Participating communities
We’re starting in 10 communities, pairing local BC Housing staff with a community partner:
- Abbotsford – City of Abbotsford
- Chilliwack – City of Chilliwack
- Cowichan Valley – United Way of BC
- Kamloops – City of Kamloops, Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family & Community Services
- Kelowna – Central Okanagan Foundation, City of Kelowna and Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society
- Nanaimo – United Way of BC
- Nelson – Nelson Cares Society
- Penticton – United Way of BC, City of Penticton
- Prince George – Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment & Training Association
- Greater Victoria – Capital Regional District and Victoria Native Friendship Society
Greater Vancouver is also doing similar work on a separate timeline.
How we’ll measure progress
We’ll know we’re making progress when:
- People only need to tell their story once, and their information is saved in one place
- Getting housing and services is easier, with one clear process
- We use good data to make decisions, supporting programs and processes that work best
First steps
This work will bring changes. We know it will take time, effort, and patience to adjust to new ways of working together.
Our first steps include:
#1 Making changes to existing Coordinated Access and Assessment (CAA) processes
CAA is a way for communities to help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless get the right help faster.
Instead of going to different places and repeating their story, people go through one shared process where their needs are assessed using the same tool.
This helps service providers figure out who needs help the most and match them with housing and support that fits their situation.
It makes getting help more fair, consistent, and efficient for everyone.
#2 Expanding the use of the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS)
Information about the HIFIS tool:
- It's a free, secure tool provided by the Government of Canada
- Helps organizations support people experiencing homelessness
- HIFIS in BC is only accessible to organizations funded by BC Housing
- It’s designed to protect privacy, so only authorized staff can access personal information, and clients must give consent
- It collects data so communities can make better program and funding decisions
Service providers can:
- record the support they give like shelter stays or meals
- track client needs and history
- share information with other agencies to improve care
#3 Forming Homelessness Response Leadership Tables in each of the 10 communities
This will support local leadership with planning, implementation, reporting and funding alignment to prevent and reduce homelessness in the community.
Learn More
Building an operating system to end homelessness (YouTube video)