Homelessness Partnering Strategy Community Entity for Yukon

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CALLFORPROPOSALS

AboriginalHomelessness

Homelessness Partnering Strategy Yukon Territory

April 1, 2017 – March 31, 2019 (2 Year Projects)

Amount of Funding Available:

Year 1: $132,801.00 Year 2: $63,989.00

Totaling$196,790.00 for a 2 year agreement

Theclosing datefor receivingapplicationsisFriday February 10,2017. Applications mustbe receivedvia email Attention: Donovan Cote, HPS Coordinator, no later than4:00 pm on February 10, 2017.

Pleaseusea read receipt to verifythat youremailhasbeen received.A confirmation emailwill be sent uponreceipt ofan application.

Todiscuss your project ideaorformore information,please contactDonovan Coteat

or (867) 393-9222

Proposalssubmittedafter thedeadlinewillnot be considered.

1.CALLFORPROPOSALS

Canadahas established the Homelessness PartneringStrategyto support projectsthat promote strategic partnershipandstructures,includinghousingsolutions and supports, tostabilize the lives of individuals who are homelessor at-risk of becoming homeless andassist themtomove toward self-sufficiency.

Through this CallforProposals (CFP),the Council of Yukon First Nations – Community Entity for the Yukon,withthe guidance ofthe Yukon Planning Group on Homelessness (YPGH),solicits applications specifictothe HomelessnessPartneringStrategy(HPS) to meet the needs of homeless and at-risk people livingin Whitehorse. Communities outside of Whitehorse are not eligible to apply for this funding stream.

The total amount offundingavailablefor this2 Year CFPis $196,790.00under the HPSAboriginal Homelessness fundingstreamtofund projectsuptoMarch 31, 2019. Under thisfundingstream,priority will be given to projects delivered primarilybyAboriginal service providers or those serving a primarily Aboriginal clientele, toaddress the specificneeds of off-reserve homeless Aboriginal population.It includesactivities thatpromote inclusion within the Aboriginal communityandthat are congruent with Aboriginal identityandpractices to ensure services are integratedand culturally-appropriate. Thetotal number of projectsfundedandtheamount of fundingper project will be determined basedon the number and qualityof proposals received.

Thisprogramis underno obligation to approve anyapplicationthrough this processand reserves the right toacceptproposals separatefromthe CFP.Anyagreement thatmay resultfromthis CFPdoes not constitute aservice toCanada.

PRIORITY

The project partners haveidentified aneedfor proposals thathelpaddressthefollowing HPS priorityfor theYukon Territory:

Funding for 2017-2019 will be allocated based on each project meeting the needs of three main priorities outlined in the HPS 2014-2019 Community Plan. As per pages 13-14 of the HPS

2014-2019 Community Plan, the community of Whitehorse intends to move towards a Housing

First model.

Priority #1: For proposals that demonstrate that they are working towards reducing

homelessness through a Housing First approach, percentages allocated to proposals will

be as follows:

  • Minimum of 50% ($66,400.50) of the total allocation in Year 1 – 2017-2018
  • Minimum of 60% ($38,393.40) of the total allocation in Year 2 – 2018-2019

Priority #2: For proposals that demonstrate that they are working towards improving the self-sufficiency of homeless individuals and families and those at imminent risk of homelessness

through individualized services, percentages allocated to proposals will be as follows:

  • Maximum 30% ($39,840.30) of the total allocation in Year 1 – 2017-2018
  • Maximum 30% ($19,196.70) of the total allocation in Year 2 – 2018-2019

Priority #3: For proposals that demonstrate that they are working towards preserving or

increasing the capacity of facilities used to address the needs of people who are homeless

or at imminent risk of homelessness, percentages allocated to proposals will be as follows:

  • Maximum 20% ($26,560.20) of the total allocation in Year 1 – 2017-2018
  • Maximum 10% ($6,398.90) of the total allocation in Year 2 – 2018-2019

As can be seen from the above percentage allocations, in the future the HPS will be requiring

greater emphasis be placed on the use of the Housing First approach (Priority #1); therefore,

we are suggesting that organizations begin planning for the implementation of the Housing First approach within their project.

For more information on the Housing First initiative please visit the following link at:

Thefollowingactivitiesare eligibleforfunding:

1.Client Services

  • assistance toaddressbasic needs suchas shelter andfood services;
  • Individual support services and other case-managed support services

(includingreferrals totreatment orhealth services);

  • assistance with housingplacementand housingretention e.g.,services to transitionpeopleoutof homelessness,or help thoseat imminent risk of homelessness to remain housed;
  • bridgingto existingemploymentprogramsorremovingbarriers to employmentor skillenrichment tofacilitate labourmarketreadiness.

2.CommunityCoordination, Partnership DevelopmentandDataManagement

  • coordination ofcommunityconsultation; communityplanning; and needs assessmentand support toCommunityAdvisoryBoards/Regional AdvisoryBoards
  • local researchand information collection andsharing(specific tothe particular community);partnership andnetwork development; coordination/improvement ofservice provision includingthe trainingof front-line staff
  • emergencyshelter usage datacollection activities;datadevelopment; data coordinationactivities; and reportingon,for example, progressagainst communityperformance indicators

3.Administrative Activities

Services shallbemade available inboth official languages where there is significant demand.Theproposal mustalso contain details onhowthe applicant intendsto engage official language minoritycommunities, where applicable, to ensure thatthe specific service deliveryneeds of that communityare met.

Projectsmust becompleted on or beforeMarch 31,2019.For clientservice projects,a sustainability plan orexit strategy willbe required.

2.PROGRAMDESCRIPTION

2.1HomelessnessPartneringStrategyOverview

The HomelessnessPartneringStrategyaimsto preventand reducehomelessness across Canada. Itdoes so bydeveloping partnershipsthat contribute toa sustainableandcomprehensive continuum of supports tohelp thosewho are homelessor at risk ofhomelessnessmove towards self-sufficiency. Itmobilizes partnersat thefederal-provincial/territorial and communitylevels toaddressbarriers towell-beingfacedbyhomeless individuals and thoseat risk.

The HPSrecognizes that thefirst stepstoward self-sufficiencyare to reduce individuals’risk of homelessnessand toensure thattheyattaina stable living arrangement. Community-based projects providesupporttohelpensure that people who are homelessandthose atrisk ofbecominghomeless canstabilize their circumstances andmove beyond emergencyneeds. Once in stablehousing, other supports canbeintroducedas required to improve health, parenting, education,and employmentoutcomes. Asa result,communities areencouraged tofoster the creation oflonger-termsolutions, especiallysupports and tools to help develop stable livingarrangementsandfacilitate economic integrationfor homeless individuals.

2.2DirectOutcomes

ByMarch 31, 2019, the HPSwill contributeto the achievement of thefollowingdirect outcomes:

1.Partnersare engaged: Through communityand strategic partnership development, as well as knowledge developmentanddissemination,the HPS serves as acatalystfor partnerships at the communitylevel, between governmentsand across thefederal government.Through its role asa catalyst, theHPSincreases partners’involvementin HPS-related activities, aligns efforts and priorities, and maximizes the contributions of allstakeholders.Throughtheengagement of partners,the HPSfacilitatesthedevelopment ofaseamless continuumof supports and services. Partners includekeystakeholders within communities, municipalities, Aboriginal organizations, provincial andterritorial governments,federal government departmentsandagencies, and research bodies, amongothers.

2.Communitieshave themeans to addresshomelessness:Through the HPS support ofcommunityplanning andprioritysetting, datadevelopment and coordination,partnership development,as wellas through ensuringthatfunded projectsmeet identified priorities, communities have the resourcesand understanding totarget homelessness supports and services totheareas of greatest need basedon local circumstances.

3.Investments are strategic and aligned: Through theadministration of contributions,development of partnershipsand associated tools, the HPSinvests fundsin amanner thattargets thegreatestneeds and affectedclientgroups while ensuringthat thoseinvestments complementthoseof other stakeholders and partners.

4.Enhanced understandingofhomelessness: Through results reportingand analysis, and knowledge developmentand dissemination, thefederal government, partnersandstakeholders will have access tothe information required to: increase understanding ofthe causes of homelessness; theincreased capacityto correlate factors impactinghousingstability; a better understanding of theservices required andavailable toaddress homelessness;andinnovative approachesandbest practices to address the uniqueneeds ofhomeless peopleand those at risk of homelessness.

All project sponsors are encouraged to use the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) to assist them in collecting data on homelessness. Training for the HIFIS software can be provided at no additional cost to interested organizations. For more information on HIFIS please see or contact the HPS Coordinator.

2.3FundingStream

AboriginalHomelessness

This streamwill fund projects delivered primarilybyAboriginal service providersor those serving a primarily Aboriginal clientele, toaddress the specificneeds of off-reserve homeless Aboriginal population.It includesactivities thatpromote inclusion within the Aboriginal communityandthat are congruent with Aboriginal identityandpractices to ensure services are integratedand culturally-appropriate. In addition, services and supportsfor off- reserve Aboriginal people who arehomelessor at-risk mayalsobefunded under boththe Designated Communities and Ruraland RemoteHomelessnessfunding streams.

Thisfundingstreamdoes not require acommunityplanand cost-matching however, partnershipsare stronglyencouraged. Applicantsmust demonstrate: howtheirprojectsmeet theoverallobjectives of theHPS;aneed for a particular client groupor service toaddress homelesspopulation

Issues;communitysupport; and,where possible, the inclusion ofother partners in theproject.

3.PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

3.1Eligible Costs

Financial assistance may be provided to cover the following costs:

Eligible expenditures include the following:

•Overhead costs, including costs related to central administrative functions of the recipient organization that are drawn upon to support agreement activities (such as postage, telephones, IT maintenance and head office support);

•Costs of materials and supplies;

•Wages and mandatory employment-related costs (MERCs);

•Staff training and professional development costs;

•Honoraria;

•Printing and communication costs;

•Professional fees, such as consultants, audit, technical expertise, facilitation, legal, and construction contractors;

•Participant costs;

•Capital costs:

◦Costs of the purchase of land;

◦Costs of the purchase of a building;

◦Costs of the construction/renovation of a building, including materials, supplies, and labour costs;

◦Other capital costs (e.g. vehicles, tools, equipment, machinery, computers, and furniture); and

•Other costs necessary to support the purpose of the funding, as approved by ESDC.

1)“Staffwages” includeMandatory Employment related Costs (MERCs)which refer to paymentsanemployer is required bylawto makein respect ofitsemployees such as EIandCPP/QPPpremiums, workers’compensationpremiums, vacation payand Employer HealthTax;andBenefits which refer to payments anemployer is required tomake in respect of its employees byvirtue ofcompanypolicyor a collective agreement.Examples ofBenefitsinclude contributionstoa grouppensionplanor premiums towards a group insurance plan.

2)“Professional fees” means contractingforgoods or services suchas bookkeeping, janitorial services, information technology, equipmentmaintenanceservices, security, ifcontracted specificallyto support the project, audit costs and legalfees.

HPS projectsmayalso includeunder professionalfeesthehiring of a consultantfor services such asfacilitatingthecommunityplanningprocess, consultationsand focus groupmeetings;draftingthe plan underthe community’s direction; assessing theneeds of clients;trainingfront line staff; shelter usage datacollection; local researchon homelessness;data management;

3)“Travel”includes travel costs set out intheNational Joint CouncilofCanada’s Travel Directive that are incurredin respect of project staff and volunteers and contractedprofessionals, if thelatter costsare not included in the professionalfees expenditurecategory.

4)“OtherActivityRelated Project Costs”includedirect costs explicitlyrelated tothe project activities thatare not included in anyother expenditure category, such as:

  • Rented space to holdmeetings, consultations, or toprovideemergencyshelter, includingapplicantownedpremises
  • Food, clothing,personal and household items thatremain with theparticipant;
  • Furniture costing$1,000 or less,before taxes
  • Materials and suppliesfor thefacility: food, laundryand cleaningsupplies;
  • Printingcosts,meter chargefor photocopies,translation
  • Emergencyrentandutilities paymentsmade to the propertyowner or utility companies(these payments arenot tobedisburseddirectlyto individuals)
  • Participant related costs suchas livingallowance while participatingin training activity
  • Vouchersforlivingexpensesfor individuals (e.g. vouchersforfood, clothing, grocery, babydiapers,eye glasses)
  • Dependent care(whilethe client isparticipatingin projectactivities)
  • Travel (bus tickets)

5)“Administrativecosts”includethecostsofadministrativestaffforactivitiessuchas accounting,reportingandhumanresourcemanagement,andgeneraladministrative costsnormallyincurredbyanyorganizationtoensuretheeffectivedeliveryoftheproject. Theseincludecostssuchasrentalofofficespace,officeequipmentrental,insurance, officesupplies,internet/website,bankcharges,officemovingexpenses,officecleaning, securitysystem,computersoftwareandlicenserenewals,garbageremoval/recycling, disabilityneeds,staffprofessionaldevelopment(healthandsafety,CPR,sensitivity training,conflictresolution,etc.),stafftraveltomeetings,membershipfees.

6)“OrganizationalInfrastructure Costs”areexpenses incurredforservices rendered tothe Applicantor Recipient bya“main office”,“head office” or “administration office”ofthe Applicant or Recipient.Theseare costsrelatedto functions which, although theyguide and enable effective projectdelivery, are not Project specific and are usuallycharged ona“pro-rated” basis.

7)“Capital Costs” are costs to purchase land, buildings, equipment, renovations to current facilities, supplies that are required to be amortized as per agreement guidelines. Eligible capital costs must be supportive in nature to be considered under the HPS.

3.2Ineligible Costs

Ineligible Costsunder the HPSinclude but are not limited to:

  • costs associated with activities or supports that take placeon-reserve;
  • costs associated with the directpurchase,rental, leasingor theoperations of social or affordablehousingthatis not supportiveor transitional innature;
  • employabilityactivities normallyprovided byotherGovernment of Canada programs (i.e., YouthEmploymentInitiatives, and Employment Benefits and Support Measures);
  • direct cashpayments to people whoare homeless or at-risk ofhomelessness;
  • software developmentand/or the purchaseof hardwarefor the collection and management of homelessnessdata that constitutesa redundant useof funds andduplicatesactivities alreadyoffered through the Homeless Individualsand Families Information System(HIFIS) software; and
  • Softwaredevelopmentand/or the purchaseof hardwarefor the collection and/or management of homelessnessdata that results in an inability to participate in the National Homelessness Information System. For example, costsfor:
  • purchasingalternativesoftware thatperformssimilarfunctions to theHIFIS software
  • Purchasingalternativesoftware thatis unableto export shelterdata to the National Homelessness Information Systeminitiative.

3.3HPSfundingothersources offunding

The HPSAboriginal Homelessnessfundingstream does not require cost-matchinghowever, partnerships arestronglyencouraged. If anapplicant has contributingpartnerstoaproject (cashor in-kind), letters confirmingthenature andamount ofeachpartner commitmentare required.SeeAnnex1, SampleLetter.

3.4EligibleApplicants

Not-for-profit organizations; individuals; municipal governments;for-profitenterprises; researchorganizations andinstitutes;public healthandeducational institutions; Band/tribal councils; and otherFirst Nation organizations areeligible to receivefunding andactas coordinators for activities.

For-profitenterprises are eligible forfunding provided thatthe natureandintent ofthe activityis non-commercial, does not generateprofit,andfits within the communityplan or identified local needwhere plansare not required. Individuals,for-profitenterprises and researchorganizations and institutesmayalso receivefundingto carryout research thataimstohelp communities understandand addresshomelessness issues.

3.5EligibleGeographicArea

In order tobeeligible forfundingthroughtheHPS,the project activities must take place within the City of Whitehorsein theTerritoryof Yukon.Preference will be given to projects identified as having a significant impact addressing homelessness.

4.ASSESSMENTOFPROPOSALS

Tobe consideredforfunding undertheHPS,proposals mustmeetall ofthefollowing basic eligibilityrequirements:

  • The proposalmust supportthe objectivesof the HPS described in Section

2. Program Description under HomelessnessPartneringStrategy Overview, section 2.1;

  • Allproposedactivities mustbeeligibleforfundingunder the HPS;
  • Fundingactivitiesandreporting must be completed onor before March 31,2019;
  • The type of project oractivities beingproposedmustaddress one of the prioritiesfor HPS Aboriginal Homelessness fundingfor theTerritory of Yukon;
  • The proposalmust have communitysupport and addresstheneeds ofthe homelesspopulation inarural or remotecommunity.

4.1ProposalAnalysis-EvaluationCriteria

Submissions will be evaluated ineach of thefollowingareas:

i.Capacityoftheapplicant:What is the capacityoftheapplicant and the people involved in carryingout theprojectactivities in terms of experience, resources, andabilities?Cantheapplicant alsodemonstrateit has thefinancial and organizational stabilityto ensure theproject will be successfullyimplemented?

ii.Meets Community needs/priorities:How welldoestheproposaladvancethe objectives of theHPS?

iii.Partnerships and communitysupport:Does the submission includeletters of support or showinvolvement ofhomelesspeople,peopleat risk of homelessness,or other homelessness service providers in proposaldevelopment andplanning? Have agencies collaborated and coordinatedtoprovideaproject or activityfor thehomeless people?Doestheprojectdemonstratelinkages to otheragenciesfor theprovision ofservices?

iv.Measurableand achievable outcomes:Doestheproposedprojector activity have measurable andachievable benefits oroutcomestomeettheneeds of the homelesspopulation (e.g. numbers tobe served or housed,number ofbeds)? Whatwill be the impact in the short termand in the longer term?

v.Valueformoney:

a.Are the benefits of theproject commensuratewith the scope of the investment?

b.Are costs reasonable comparedtotheanticipatedoutcomes ofthe project?

c.Are costs reasonable and alignedwith the valueof the proposed activities atprevailingmarketrates in the community?

d.Are costsnecessaryto carryout theactivities successfully(e.g., is it necessaryto cover travel costs for aninternational conference?)

e.Are costseligible anddirectlyrelated tothe proposed activities?

vi.Appropriatelocation:

a.Are theproject activities located intheTerritory of Yukon?

b.Is thelocationappropriatefor the intended clientele?Is the projector service located close to complementaryfacilities and/or services (includingpublic transit)?

vii.Process to measure success:What evaluation andmonitoringprocesses will be put inplacetomeasure performance ofthe project?

viii.Cultural appropriateness: Ifservices are beingofferedtoaddressthe needs of Aboriginal people whoare homeless orat-risk ofbecominghomeless, has preference been given to Aboriginal organizations to deliver these services? Does the applicant demonstratethe capacityto respond tothe unique challenges thatfacehomelessness for Aboriginal peoples, youthat risk, peoplewith disabilities, people with mental illnessand those chronicallyaddicted? Doesthe proposal explain howthose challenges will be addressed in theproject?

ix.Sustainabilityofthe benefits oftheproject: Willthebenefits oftheproposed project oractivities besustained when the HPS contribution agreement ends?

  • For client services projects, is asustainabilityplanor exit strategy included? Applicantsmust indicate whether there will be ascale down or a reduction of services, the impactofsuchareduction onindividual clients, investmentsand the communityat large, andhowclients and the communitywill be advisedof the planned scale down or reductionof services. The exit strategyshould include specifictimelines andan explanationof theinvolvement ofother communitypartners inthe exit strategy, ifapplicable.

Please note:

  • The lowest dollaramountproposal will not necessarilybe selected
  • CYFN reserves the right torejectsomeor all proposals

5.APPLICATIONPACKAGE

Submissionsunder this CFP must include:

  • Application form(see template)
  • Project proposal of5pages or less (notmandatory,but canbeusedtoenhance your application toensure itmeets allof theProposalAnalysis-Evaluation Criteria)
  • Budget NegotiationNotes (seetemplate)
  • Letters ofsupportfromthe community
  • Letters ofcommitmentfromotherfundingpartners(seeAnnex1 example), if applicable
  • Copyoflatestannualfinancial statements

Please note that proposalsmust identifythe communitywherethe project activitieswill occur and the communitypopulation size.

Please send applicationsvia e-mail totheaddress onthe cover page. Applications must be receivedno later than4:00 pm on February 10,2017.

5.1ServiceStandardforApplications

Under normal conditions, we will acknowledge receiptofyour proposalvia e-mailupon receipt.Please use aread receiptand keep acopyfor your records.

6.INTERPRETATIONOFDOCUMENTS

Allinquiries relatedtosubmissions of proposalsforfundingaretobedirectedtoDonovan Cote at (867) 393-9222. Information obtainedfromanyother source is not official and maybe inaccurate.

If aprospective applicant is indoubtas tothetruemeaning of anypart ofthe specifications orother documents,orfinds omissionsor discrepancies therein, arequest for interpretation or correction thereofmaybesubmittedand, if deemed necessaryby CYFN, an addendum willbe issuedtoall qualified persons receivingCFP documents. Addenda will also be issuedbyCYFN to all qualifiedpersons receivingCFP documents, shouldthere be aneedto expandor deleteanyportion of thesaid specificationsor documents.