Because homelessness is a systemic problem involving various agencies and sectors, its policies and service provision needs to be delivered as part of an integrated system response. System integration is a formalized, community-wide, coordinated approach to planning and service delivery. PAEH aims to support system integration by introducing a system of care for homelessness services. A system of care is community-based, with the locus of services resting within a supportive, adaptive infrastructure of structures, processes, and relationships at the community level. We aim to ensure availability of a broad, flexible, evidence-informed, community-based, client-centered services to those experiencing homelessness in our region. Simply put, the work around homelessness is disjointed and this is felt by those accessing services. To promote cross-system collaboration our members establish linkages between services, share and promote best-practices. By aligning services, we can avoid duplication, improve information sharing, increase efficiency, and provide a more seamless experience for individuals and families.
Systems integration uses a “no wrong door” approach. This means that no matter where a person enters the system, they are informed of their choices and can access any service they require. Instead of a “first-come, first-served” system, streamlined assessment and referral protocols are used to ensure that people receive the services they need and want at any given time. Essential to these goals is the ability to gather real-time, person-specific information. PAEH is doing this by creating a By-Name List (BNL) for eventual system-wide use.
The BNL 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, through the Built For Zero Canada Campaign, has achieved a quality BNL. Following development and testing of the BNL, PAEH encourages all Peel services providers connected to serving people experiencing homelessness to participate in its use.
Peel is also committed to end veteran homelessness and is working to achieve a quality BNL for veterans experiencing homelessness in Peel.
To learn more about the BNL click here.
To learn more about Peel’s approach to Coordinated Access click here
