Reflections on Collaborative PlanningPresentation to HSPC June 4 2008

What is the Alliance?

Multi-sectoral coalitionMostly social service providers

Our vision:

“A York Region where everyone has a secure affordable healthy place to live.”

Homelessness in York Region

Highly complex Nobody “owns” it – all levels of government

and communities are stakeholders Largely invisible Poverty/lack of affordable housing Many faces Many pathways into/out of Significantly under-resourced

YRAEH History

1999 - Alliance formed2005 - First funded staff position: Public education

focus2006 – Women’s Shelter Needs Assessment2007 – YRAEH:A project of Sage Centre2008 – Ontario Trillium Foundation funding2008/9 – Federal Funding (through York Region) for 3

collaborative projects

Key areas

Research Advocacy Collaborative Projects Public Education and Community

Engagement Sustainability

Context for Collaborative Planning

Federal Homelessness Programs

Supporting Community Partnerships Initiative York Region Community Plan 2001 York Region Community Plan Update 2003

Homelessness Partnering Strategy York Region Community Plan Update 2007

Current collaborative projects – 2008/2009

Transportation

Street Health

Community Capacity

What have we learned?

We are just beginning A framework provides context Establish priorities for action Resources for collaborative planning are

essential We need to expand the circle Trust/relationships builds commitment and

takes time

Challenges

Housing and poverty issues are hidden Uncertain/limited/inadequate resources Need for municipal/neighbourhood profiles Potential partners don’t always know they are

connected to the issue and the role they could play The widening income gap in York Region NIMBY

Expectations of a region-wide long term integrated human services plan

A destination

We need a high level aspiration of what we are working towards. A shared vision of what needs to happen and how we can move towards it.

“What do we want our communities

to look like?”

Strategic priorities

Poverty reduction

Increase affordable housing

Clarity around roles and governance structure

Arms length

Transparent decision making

Trust builds commitment

Values and principles

Share powerShare decision makingBe accountableNo blame Promote social inclusionA learning community

Need for a framework

Social determinants of health

Research

Communities are important sources of knowledge

Community Based Research

Resources

To promote/support collaborative planning

An enabling environment

Dialogue Trust Honesty Municipal leadership A common vision/aspiration Supported by people with influence Embrace challenge

Last thought

“We go faster alone – we go further together”

Tamarack Institute for Community Collaboration

Vibrant Communities Face to Face Forum

May 2008