Biimskiinodin Transitional Home

1. Biimskiinodin Transitional Home March 2007 Presentation to the London Aboriginal Housing Forum

2. Biimskiinodin Biimskiinodin [Anishnaabe] : Turning something around such as the motion created by the wind and leaves in the air or the swirl in a piece of fabric. This is the name we gave the transitional home as a metaphor for helping Aboriginal families turn their circumstances around and move into suitable and stable housing for a better family life.

3. Can Am Urban Native Homes • Established in 1988 • At the time Biimskiinodin began, Can Am administered a portfolio of 84 homes • Provides Rent geared to income housing to Aboriginal Families, in Windsor ON • Has a Tenant Liaison to work with; and advocate for clients • Has a Maintenance team to look after the day to day needs of the homes.

4. In the Beginning • January 2002 Taking Action on Homelessness Together Coalition formed to roll out the SCPI (Supporting Community Partnership Initiative) – Phase 1. • Elayne Isaacs selected as the Aboriginal Representative to the coalition. • No applications to SKIPI – Phase 1 by the local aboriginal community as there was the Urban Aboriginal Strategy whereby funding was provided to Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre to support Aboriginal needs.

5. CLIENTS SERVED THROUGH THE Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre NATIVE HOMELESS PROGRAM July 2002 – Aug. 31 2003

6. In the Beginning (Cont.) • Phase 2 of SCPI – Introduced Oct. 2003 It did not include Urban Aboriginal Strategy funding for Windsor. The community plan was updated. • Lobbying efforts of Can-Am Urban Native Homes produced aboriginal needs being included in the updated community plan. • Lobbying efforts of the Homeless Coalition produced transitional housingas a priority for Windsor Essex County. • Oct. 30 2003 Aboriginal Community Meeting co-hosted by United Way Community Development workers and Can-Am Urban Native Homes.

7. IDENTIFIED NEEDS of THE WINDSOR NATIVE COMMUNITY

8. IDENTIFIED NEEDS of THE WINDSOR NATIVE COMMUNITY • Dec. 2003 – May 2004 secured concrete partnerships with local community agencies: • Ska:na Family Learning Centre • Housing Information Services • Aboriginal Child Resource Centre • Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre • May 21, 2004 Can-Am Urban Native Non-Profit Homes applied for SCP1 Phase 2 funding. Focus on native homeless/at risk of homeless families. • February 2005 Contract Signed with Service Canada

9. Biimskiinodin Home 1456 Albert Road Windsor, ON February 2007

10. Biimskiinodin Transitional Home • 2 Units [Upper and Lower] • 4 Bedroom Unit - Upper • 3 Bedroom Unit – Lower • Utilities are included with rent • Currently there is a rent supplement provided by the City of Windsor which allows us to offer the unit on a rent geared to income basis • Includes a coin operated Washer and Dryer in the Basement • Located less than one block from a Bus Stop

11. Living Room of the Lower Unit

12. Biimskiinodin Timeline • Contract signed with Service Canada in February 2005 • Took possession of the Property in April • Board of Director’s approved the policy in June • Completed first round of renovations in July 2005 • Housed first participant July 2005 • Able to offer a rent supplement in September 2006

13. What Biimskiinodin does…. • Provides a safe clean home for 6 months while families look for a permanent home • Stays can be extended on a month by month basis, but cannot exceed 1 year in length • Develop a Plan of Care with participants which will outline all the referrals to supportive services with a timeline

14. Renovations – Service Canada • June 2005 • Electrical work, Outlets for fridge and stove in the kitchen and washer and dryer in the basement • New circuit breaker • New doors, porch railing, & fence • Replace furnace with High Efficiency with separate units for upstairs and down • Renovate 2nd floor Bathroom • Countertop 2nd floor Kitchen

15. Bathroom and main hall of the Upper unit: in the ceiling is the separate heater for this unit

16. Renovations – CMHCShelter Enhancement Program • October 2006 • Replace all the windows [20 1st & 2nd floor; 6 Basement] • Restore foundation block and mortar assembly. • Installation of perimeter drainage • Water flows will be managed through raingear and grading improvements • Security for the basement windows was enhanced • Chimney: Install proper flue lining and remove chimney clean out door and ensure air tight seals • Replace plumbing fixtures in the 2nd floor kitchen sink • Re-point Exterior brick facades

17. Renovations – Service Canada • February 2007 • Engineered painted steel fire escape stair case and landings on exterior of back wall • Replacement of existing 2nd floor window with 30” by 80” steel door • Installation of certified interconnected smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detector

18. Can Am Maintenance Staff performed some of the renovations, finishing work and maintenance between tenancies

19. Snapshot of our Clientele • 16 Applicants • 8 Participants • 2 Families currently residing • 6 Families have left Biimskiinodin with 4 obtaining permanent housing with Can Am Urban Native homes and 2 in the Private sector with the help of Housing Information Services

20. Demographic Profile of Applicants

21. Reason for making application

22. Client’s Identifying Domestic Violence as a factor in their Homelessness

23. Expectations of Clients • While they’re in the home they work on the areas addressed by their Plan of Care and follow through on the recommended referrals • Respect the home’s drug and alcohol free status, which is expanded upon when we sign the lease • Working, Actively looking for work, or attending school

24. Plan of Care • Developed collaboratively with the client • Start off with the two main objectives of finding permanent accommodations and either securing employment or completing their education. • Add additional referrals dependant upon their situation • Provide a timeline when their goals are to be completed

25. How do we help people transition to permanent housing • Provide support and service to clients with referrals to our community partners, which is outlined in their Plan of Care • With an affordable rent which includes utilities, families have a financial respite, which allows clients to focus on other issues addressed in their Plan of Care • With 3 and 4 bedroom units we can accommodate most families • We do not require 60 days written notice to vacate allows participants to immediately accept a more ideal permanent accommodation, rather than settling for the first thing that comes along

26. What if Biimskiinodin was not available? • Clients would have remained homeless • Clients may have overcrowded the residence of a friend or relative • Clients may have settled for accommodation not suitable for them • Clients would not be free to focus on goals to assist them break the cycle of homelessness such as literacy, or employment • Clients may return to an abusive relationship to avoid homelessness

27. Thank you to…. We would like to take the opportunity to thank those who have assisted us with either renovating our home and those who provided valuable services to our clients. • Aboriginal Child Resource Centre • Can Am Indian Friendship Centre • Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation • Central Housing Registry • City of Windsor • Credit Counseling Services • Hiatus House • Housing Information Services • Information Windsor • Metis Nation of Ontario, Windsor Office • Ska:Na Family Learning Centre • University of Windsor, School of Social Work • Urban Native Homes Inc., Hamilton, ON • United Way of Windsor and Essex County • Windsor Essex Waste Disposal Services • Furniture Donations from the Community