2011-2014 HPS Call for Proposals Documents
In November 2010, the Government of Canada renewed funding for the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) at the current funding level for another three years –– from April 2011 to March 2014. Program funding for the Metro Vancouver region remains at approximately $8.2 million per year.

As the Community Advisory Board for the HPS in Metro Vancouver, the Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness (RSCH) is responsible for recommending projects for funding under the program. In keeping with this role, the RSCH recommended that the contribution agreements of service projects that were funded to March 31, 2011 be extended to March 31, 2012, to ensure that there were no gaps in services to the homeless and at risk populations because of the late announcement of the program renewal. Those projects are currently being managed by Service Canada as shared delivery projects.

At the time of the program renewal, the Government of Canada advised that the remaining funds available for distribution in Metro Vancouver must be considered for projects that are consistent with the Community Plan for the Metro Vancouver region approved by the Minister on November 7, 2011 (a copy of the Community Plan is posted below this note).

Accordingly, on November 21, 2011, the RSCH, in consultation with the GVRD and Vancity Community Foundation, invited eligible organizations operating in the Metro Vancouver region to submit service and community/partnership development project proposals to be considered for HPS funding for the period beginning on April 1, 2012 and ending on March 31, 2014.

In order to be considered for funding during this period, each eligible organization must submit an application for funding and supporting documents requested under this Call for Proposals, regardless of current or past HPS funding status. In other words, service projects currently receiving HPS funding will not have the funding renewed automatically beyond March 31, 2012. Renewals will be based on the results of the competitive process initiated under the November 21, 2011 Call for Proposals.

Information Documents for the Current Call for Proposals
The PDF files shown below describe the Call for Proposals in detail and identify the documents that must be consulted, completed and submitted as an application for HPS funding.

Please note that the documents below are in a PDF format, designed for information purposes only and therefore cannot be used to submit an application for HPS funding. If your organization did not receive copies of the electronic application forms (application and budget) distributed in November, or have any questions about the Call for Proposals, please contact Lisa Ross at Vancity Community Foundation by email: Lisa_Ross@Vancity.com, or by phone: 604-877-4527.

Capital Projects
Please note that if you are only interested in applying for funding to undertake a capital project, then this particular Call for Proposals may not be for you. Another Call for Proposals will be posted in early 2012 to invite applications for capital investments. You may choose to apply under that process if you wish to undertake a capital project with HPS funds.

 Notice
 2011 HPS Application Guide
 HPS Application for Funding Form 2A - Revised 2011 Nov 22
 HPS Application Form 2A Mock Form
 Budget Negotiation Notes Form 2B1 - Revised 2011 Nov 29
 Sample Budget Negotiation Notes - Form 2B1
 Character Limits On Application Form 2A
 FAQ on Matching Funds - Dec 6, 2011
 FAQ on Employment Services - Dec 6, 2011
 FAQ on HPS - Dec 13, 2011 
 FAQ on Sustainability

French
 Avis
 Demande De Financement
 Notes concernant les négociations budgétaires
 Guide Dedemande

2011-2014 Homelessness Partnering Strategy Community Plan
 Community Plan 2011-2014 HPS Annex A: Data Tables
 Community Plan 2011-2014 HPS Annex B: Community Plan
 Community Plan 2011-2014 HPS Annex C: Priorities

About the Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness (RSCH)
The Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness (RSCH) was established in March 2000 to bring together a range of people and organizations operating and funding facilities, services or programs targeted to people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness in the region. The Committee arose from the recognition that homelessness is an issue in every Metropolitan Vancouver community. As a result, the Committee identified the need for a regional response to the growing problem of homelessness.

The RSCH now includes over 40 members representing service providers, community-based organizations, business and labour, and all levels of government. The Committee has grown to become the regional voice on homelessness in Metropolitan Vancouver. Metro Vancouver, in partnership with United Way of the Lower Mainland, provides administrative and policy support to the Committee.

What's New

2011 Homeless Count
The 2011 Homeless Count is a 24 hour snapshot of homelessness in Metro Vancouver on March 16, 2011.

The Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness (RSCH) and the Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee (AHSC) provide oversight to the count methodology and are responsible for reporting out on the Count's findings. Since 2002, homeless counts have been conducted across Metro Vancouver every three years. The count methodology is refined with every count and is recognized by all levels of government and community agencies as the best approach to understand trends in the visible homeless population. Count numbers are understood as the minimum number of people homeless in the Metro Vancouver region.

As in previous counts, InFocus Management Consulting served as the Aboriginal Coordinator and coordinated the Count of Aboriginal people who were homeless in partnership with the Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee and Aboriginal serving agencies.

Local Community Homeless Tables across the region provided leadership in the Count as they continue to address homelessness in their neighbourhoods communities. The Homeless Count would not have been possible without the assistance of hundreds of volunteers. Organizers are grateful to all the homeless-serving agencies throughout the region for lending their expertise and knowledge to the Count.

The 2011 Homeless Count was made possible through funding from: United Way of the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Foundation, City of Vancouver, and the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Fund. TransLink provided in-kind support. A total of 2,623 people were found to be homeless on March 16, according to preliminary results from the 2011 Homeless Count. Overall, there was a 1% decrease since the 2008 Count, when the total number of people found homeless was 2,660.

It is anticipated that the final report will follow in the summer of 2011.
Data from 2011 Count