Initiatives

7 Cities work collaboratively on several fronts to support an end to homelessness:

• ​Advance policy solutions to end homelessness with government partners.

• Knowledge development and dissemination with Alberta and national peers to advance an end to homelessness.

• Supporting the professional development of Alberta's homeless-serving leaders and front-line workers.

• ​Service excellence and program development to ensure continuous improvement.

 

 

Each of the 7 Cities undertakes the following roles in their respective communities:

 

1. System Planning & Integration   

• Lead the implementation of local plans to end homelessness;

• Advance system integration with public systems to support an end to homelessness;

• Ensure the needs of the local community are addressed in planning and implementation, and that local leadership, services, and community members are engaged in ending homelessness;

• Monitor, evaluate and report on progress of local plans;

• Engage, design, implement, and coordinate the local homeless-serving system, including program design and development;

• Implement and operate the local homeless management information system;

• Foster relationships and collaboration with key government and community stakeholders.

 

2. Funding & Performance Management

• Manage diverse funding streams to meet community priorities and targets, compliance, monitoring, and reporting requirements to funders;

• Ensure comprehensive outcomes measurement, program monitoring and quality assurance processes are in place;

• Implement and support the uptake of service quality standards for programs within the homeless-serving system.

• Align funding to maximize community impact. 

 

3. Knowledge Leadership & Innovation

• Implement innovative program and adaptations, particularly Housing First, to meet local needs leveraging existing and new resources;

• Ensure research supports the implementation of the local plan and share best practices at regional and national levels;

• Mobilize knowledge and research to support agencies, peers and public policy makers in the execution of their roles;

• Champion homelessness issues in the local community, but also provincially, nationally and internationally;

• Consult and engage with diverse stakeholders to support plan implementation;

• Implement capacity building initiatives, including training and technical assistance across the homeless-serving sector.