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PAEH In-Depth

Together We Can End Homelessness In Peel

We are the Peel Alliance to End Homelessness is a collaborative effort from agencies all across the region of Peel working together to end homelessness in our communities.

Vision

One voice: inspiring change, creating hope, eliminating homelessness

Mission

We work collaboratively to advocate for systemic change and investments, through innovative approaches, to ensure the prevention and elimination of homelessness

Values

We believe all individuals have the right to dignity, choice, housing, a client-centred approach, safety and inclusion
We support and promote evidence based best practices
We value innovation and are open to working in new ways to serve the homeless community better
We support equity-based care, so that those with the highest need receive supports first
We will ensure that lived and living experience perspectives are included in our work

Our Work

Our Origins

The Peel Alliance to End Homelessness (PAEH) was formed in 2016 by community advocates and leaders in the homelessness sector. In its first initiative, PAEH partook in the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness 20,000 Homes Campaign, which sought to house 20,000 chronically homeless Canadians.

Built for Zero Canada Campaign

PAEH is collaborating with the Region of Peel to participate in the Built for Zero Canada campaign, led by the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH). PAEH is partnering with front line service providers and regional staff to develop a system that streamlines the process for people experiencing homelessness to access the right housing and support services based on their preferences and level of need. This is called Coordinated Access.

Coordinated Access is a community-wide, systems-based approach to reducing and preventing homelessness. It is a process through which individuals and families experiencing homelessness are provided with access to housing and support services, based on three key components:

Access to the system – standardized intake process with dedicated community-level access points.
Common assessment and prioritization – established guidelines for determining which individuals and families will be prioritized for access to supports and housing.
Referral and matching – mapping of all available resources in the community and documented policies and procedures to help match individuals to the appropriate housing and support services.

Enumeration and By-Name List

PAEH also conducted Peel’s very first homeless point in time (PIT) count in 2018, in partnership with the Region of Peel. The results, which provided a ‘snapshot’ of homelessness in Peel, were used to the Peel By-Name List (BNL)and were presented to council and used to spur action on ending homelessness.
The By-Name List is a real-time list of all individuals experiencing homelessness in Peel. It contains a robust list of data points that supports coordinated access to services and prioritization for those most vulnerable, particularly chronic, and episodically homeless. This real-time actionable data allows for triaging of services, system performance evaluation (such as homeless inflow and outflow) and advocacy for the specific policies and resources necessary to end homelessness in Peel. PAEH along with the Region of Peel is also developing a homeless Veteran’s By-Name List. PAEH seeks to welcome all Peel services providers to participate in its use.

Advocacy

PAEH is part of a national movement to end homelessness. To achieve this goal, we need to engage all levels of government, non-profit agencies, private sector groups and most importantly those with lived experience.

It has been shown that reducing homelessness produces enormous financial benefits and alleviates personal costs to Canadians. Tireless efforts are being made at the local level and many successes have been demonstrated, but setting a common vision is needed that utilizes clear outcomes, measurable targets and timelines. PAEH advocates for the prioritization of this central policy issue, and for increased accountability and planning integration from all levels of government.

Locally, we advocate for best practices such as Housing First, a community-wide common assessment in the utilization of the Common Assessment tool for screening, and the introduction of a Coordinated Access System. Provincially, PAEH spearheads the Ontario Alliance to End Homelessness – a collaborative of similar homelessness-centric alliances and coalitions from across the province that seeks to create a unified voice on homelessness policy issues in Ontario. At the federal level, often in partnership with the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, PAEH offers policy recommendations and advocates for the rights of those experiencing homelessness.

Select PAEH Advocacy To-Date

Letter to Provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on Bill-184, Protecting Tenants and Strengthening Community
Advocating for a Right to Housing
Advocating for the Provincial Government to continue the Homelessness Plan to end chronic homelessness by 2025 in Ontario
Supporting the creation of the Peel Homelessness and Housing Plan
Supporting the improvement of the Housing and Homelessness client pathway In Peel
Leading the creation of an Ontario Alliance to End Homelessness
Promoting Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness’ Recovery For All Campaign