Housing

Housing Help

Housing Help provides assistance with finding a home, preventing eviction and homeowner assistance.

KLH Housing Corporation

Homelessness Coordinated Response Team

The Homelessness Coordinated Response Team (HCRT) of Kawartha Lakes and the County of Haliburton is made up of agencies who work together to help people experiencing homelessness find and keep permanent, affordable housing.

If you are facing homelessness you can be connected to the following assessment agencies, in order to complete a vulnerability assessment:

• City of Kawartha Lakes - Housing Help division
• FourCast
• Canadian Mental Health Association - Lindsay or Haliburton office
• A Place Called Home
• Haliburton Highlands HealthServices - Mental Health Program
• Ross Memorial Hospital - Mental Health Services
• John Howard Society - Kawartha Lakes Haliburton

If an individual or family is assessed and is eligible to be added to the HCRT Priority List then the above agencies will complete a HCRT Addition Form.

The HCRT Priority List aims to match homeless individuals and families to housing and support services based on their unique needs. People identified as being at the greatest risk are offered available housing and supports first. When housing options are not readily available, the Priority List can identify eligible people and link them to extra supports to help keep people safe while looking for housing solutions.

Financially Assisted Housing

20,000 Homes

As a participant in the Canadian Alliance To End Homelessness 20,000 Homes Campaign we are committed to ending chronic homelessness and look to house the most vulnerable individuals and families in Kawartha Lakes and the County of Haliburton by July 2018.

The City of Kawartha Lakes and the County of Haliburton will be participating in Ontario’s homeless enumeration, the first province-wide count of its kind in Canada during 2018.  During the week of May 28-June 1, 2018 trained volunteers will survey people experiencing homelessness in our communities and gather information on their health and social needs. Those surveyed will be prioritized for housing and appropriate support services based on their needs.

Teams led by professional service staff and community volunteers will systematically canvass the community and complete a short survey with residents experiencing homelessness. To sign up as a volunteer, please email Jocelyn Blazey at jblazey@kawarthalakes.ca

During our 2016 Registry Week 136 individuals were identified as homeless. Read the Registry Week Report for more information.

Additional reports relating to the Registry Week and homelessness system capacity can be found below (email Housing Help to obtain this information in an alternate version):

Are you homeless, living rough, or couch-surfing?
We would like to talk to you and complete a short health and housing survey.
You will receive a gift card for taking the time to answer our questions.
WHEN: May 28th to June 1st, 2018
WHERE: To complete the survey, you can drop by one of the following locations or call us Toll-Free 1-844-878-9367

• Registry Week Summary Report
• Capacity Assessment Report

10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan

We are implementing a 10 year Housing and Homelessness Plan. The Plan establishes priorities for housing and homelessness services based on targeted consultations and research.

The Plan enables the City to:

• create a long-term community vision of shared goals, agreed upon priorities and strategies for a continuum of housing and homelessness services
• improve access to adequate, suitable and affordable housing
• coordinate and integrate housing and homelessness services to assist families and individuals
• assist in determination of housing and homelessness funding including but not limited to priorities and processes
• prepare for future senior government funding and partnership opportunities
• make recommendations on the process and structure of service delivery within the Corporation and with the City's delivery partners

The plan includes a three-year Action Plan that focuses on the most immediate phase of detailed activities to affect change and maximize service improvements and funding efficiencies.

Documents associated with the 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan include:

• Housing & Homelessness Plan 2016 Annual Report
• Housing & Homelessness Plan 2015 Annual Report
• Housing & Homelessness Plan 2014 Annual Report

• Housing and Homelessness Plan 2014-2023 - Overview
• Building Strong Communities: Housing and Homelessness Plan 2014-2023

• Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy
• Provincial Housing Policy Statement

The following documents are available upon request, please contact Housing Help to recieve a copy:

• Project Definition Document
• City of Kawartha Lakes Housing Needs Study
• Haliburton County Housing Needs Study
• 2006 Kawartha Lakes Housing Strategy
• 2006 Kawartha Lakes Housing Strategy - Background Report: Housing Need and Demand and Housing Supply Analysis
• Housing Today - Awareness Publication