The Fredericton Housing First Services team works with individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
The team collaborates with individuals to assist them in finding housing, as well as maintaining their housing. The team also connects individuals with organizations that can provide support outside of housing (i.e., Social Development, Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, Mental Health and Addictions...).
Housing First
Housing First is a recovery-oriented approach to ending homelessness that centers on quickly moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and permanent housing, and then providing additional supports and services as needed.
The 5 principles of Housing First are:
1. Immediate access to permanent housing with no housing readiness requirements.
2. Consumer choice and self-determination.
3. Recovery orientation.
6. Individualized and client driven support.
5. Social and community integration.
A Collaborative Client-Centered Approach
Collaborate with service users in the formulation of a comprehensive service plan.
Provide outreach, intensive case management, advising, advocacy and other needed services to service users in any environment including the streets, shelters, hospitals, apartments, office, etc.
Provide individually tailored services to each service user in the following areas: housing, activities of daily living, health and wellness, life skills, relapse prevention, money management and entitlements, medication support, self-help and empowerment, problem solving, family life and social relationships, etc.
Assessments
Fredericton Housing First Services uses two assessment tools to assist in prioritizing the
housing needs of service users and to determine areas for additional supports.
Level 1: Vulnerable Index-Service Prioritization and Decision Assessment Tool (VI-SPDAT) is a triage or pre-screen.
Level 2: Service Prioritization and Decision Assessment Tool (SPDAT) is the full assessment to pinpoint potential areas where the service user many need supports.
Referral Process
Referrals may be made by government and non-government organizations, or by self-referral.
Referrals received are prioritized by the level of need of the individuals accessing services using the VI-SPDAT and SPDAT tools.
New referrals contact the Housing First Program Coordinator Mike Ryan: (506) 478-8443