Community planning and research is critical to our work. As an evidence-based organization, Homeward Trust is constantly researching and learning more about homelessness and our clients’ needs, and refining its best practices.

Community Plan on Housing and Supports

This comprehensive, multi-year work plan ensures that sufficient housing and support services are available for people in need. A community-wide, diverse group of stakeholders participates in the development and implementation of this plan.

Research Committee

The Research Committee, consisting of community stakeholders, researchers and/or interested participants, serves as an impartial group of stakeholders and partners who are responsible for determining research priorities established through the Community Plan process, as well as developing an annual research agenda.

Where are we now?

• We are undertaking the development of a new Community Plan in 2011; a record number of stakeholders participated in its development
• We funded research projects that examine Aboriginal client experience in housing first
• The 2010 Homeless Count identified 2421 people without a home, a 21% decrease from 2008

Community Initiatives

Homeward Trust coordinates community initiatives such as the bi-ennual Homeless Count, which provides a snapshot of the population experiencing homelessness; and the Winter Emergency Response, providing extended services and access to drop-in centres for people in need.

Edmonton and Area Community Plan on Housing and Supports

The Edmonton Area Community Plan on Housing and Supports: 2011-2015 outlines how the community will respond to priority housing and support needs over the next five years.

This is the third community plan on housing, homelessness and support services to be developed over the past decade, but is the first to include participation from community leagues and businesses, and the first to look at the region as a whole.

More than 350 individuals representing non-profit providers; three orders of government; private developers; communities and people in need contributed to the year-long development. Goals in the Community Plan include ensuring: enough supply of affordable housing; enough supportive units for people most in need; services are available throughout the city for early intervention and prevention and solutions are developed collaboratively at a systems level.

Read the Edmonton and Area Community Plan on Housing and Supports: 2011-2015