A 10-point plan to tackle homelessness in 91原创 includes a proposal for a 鈥淐ommunity Navigator鈥� to help different agencies and levels of government work together better, and calls for construction of 鈥渟econd-stage鈥� housing for women and children fleeing violence, along with other measures to improve services and fill in current gaps in coverage.

It was developed by the 91原创 Housing and Homelessness Action Table, a 鈥渃ross-sector partnership鈥� launched by 91原创 East MLA Megan Dykeman, that has brought together representatives from agencies that deal with homeless people and all three levels of government.

Dykeman said it became clear during the pandemic that homelessness was a 鈥渕ulti-ministry challenge鈥� that required action on many fronts.

鈥淲e need to be able to cover the whole gamut,鈥� Dykeman told the 91原创 Advance Times.

READ ALSO: Formerly homeless face evictions in 91原创 as COVID restrictions ease

Table chair Fraser Holland, manager of the intense case management team at 91原创 Community Services Society, said the goal is to make incremental improvements in the way different agencies and levels of government deal with homelessness.

It is a way of focusing attention on specific goals, regardless of funding cycles, or election processes, Holland explained.

鈥淟et鈥檚 start doing some of the stuff [that needs to be done],鈥� Holland told the 91原创 Advance Times.

Holland described the 鈥渃ommunity navigator鈥� position as someone who would 鈥渟wim the waters鈥� between the different agencies and levels of government, to look for ways to reduce overlaps, improve coordination, and close gaps in coverage.

As an example of a gap, Holland pointed to a 75-year-old who is released from a hospital stay, had lost their housing, and doesn鈥檛 qualify for some homeless assistance programs because they are over the age of 65.

鈥淪helters are no place for someone who鈥檚 over 75,鈥� Holland remarked.

One big gap that is in urgent need of closing is the absence of second-stage housing in 91原创, Holland said.

91原创 is the 鈥渓argest community in the province without this housing option,鈥� the report stated.

Holland was encouraged by the interest shown by different levels of government, saying it was clear during the development of the plan, that 鈥渨e do have all three levels of government and service providers who want to see things done.鈥�

Someone with many years experience working with the homeless in 91原创, Holland said this is the first time he has seen this 鈥渓evel of buy-in.鈥�

Dykeman agreed, commenting that 鈥淚鈥檓 as optimistic as [Holland] is,鈥� describing table participants as 鈥渋nvested鈥� in addressing homelessness issues.

While 91原创 has so far managed to avoid some of the worst of the homelessness crisis, it can鈥檛 be complacent, Holland warned.

鈥淲hile we鈥檙e doing better than many communities, I think we can do a lot better,鈥� Holland said.

READ ALSO: Census data suggests more families, potentially empty homes in 91原创

Included in the 鈥�2023-2025 Homelessness Action Priorities for 91原创鈥� plan are calls for creating a community service hub, developing supportive and complex care housing, improving support for people making transitions (for example, youth leaving government care), expanding shelter resources, providing access to hygiene facilities, forming partnerships with organizations developing housing, raising public awareness, and improving staffing levels at existing housing and homelessness service agencies.

Work on making some of those proposals a reality is set to begin next year, said Holland.

鈥淚f we took care of three priorities a year, I鈥檇 be ecstatic.鈥�