Needs
IMPACT
Wainwright & Area
Information. Mentorship. Prevention. Action. Community. Team.
Social determents of health
The social determents of health are the conditions in which we are born, we grow and age, and in which we live and work. The factors below impact our health and well being.
Childhood experiences
Housing
Education
Social support
Family income
Employment
Our communities
Access to health services
What is a Housing and Service Needs Estimation?
Since it’s launch in 2017, the project has completed over 50 community estimations and is a recipient of CMHC’s Gold Roof Award for Knowledge to Action.
The lack of data on homelessness in rural areas and the resulting difficulty many communities face in getting funding to address the issue — motivated the creation of the Rural Estimations initiative.
The Housing & Service Needs Estimation project is a large scale cooperative effort between organizations to gather data using the method outlined in a guide, suited for rural and remote settings.
The step-by-step guide was created by RDN to help provide accurate estimates of homelessness in rural and remote communities – which is inexpensive and can be tailored for specific situations or issues.
If completed, the estimation will provide a comprehensive picture of homelessness in the M.D of Wainwright and villages.
The needs project can inform service providers and municipal, provincial,
federal policies, practices, and funding decisions.
The project can elevate and incorporate the voices of people experiencing homelessness in the solutions to end homelessness.
Service mapping
Service mapping is a way to collect data on which services are and aren’t available in a rural or remote area.
Service mapping includes participation from community members, service
providers, and other stakeholders.
It evaluates whether current services are appropriate for
community members being served.
Mapping will provide an assessment of which services are underused, overused, or
non-existent.
Timeline & budget
The project has been broken down into seven phases, each based upon collecting data and using it to help provide accurate estimates of homelessness in our community. The budget of the Housing and Service Needs Estimation is $21,350.
Phase 1
The Project Kick Off
Phase 2 & 3
Materials Preparation & Training
Phase 4 & 5
Enumeration & Service Mapping
Phase 6
Data Entry, Analysis, & Reporting
Phase 7
Knowledge Mobilization
The big "why?" & the three legged stool
Investing in solutions to homelessness not only upholds housing as a fundamental human right, but also fosters economic growth within the community.
- Cash flow investment
- In a study, every $1 in cash aid increased total economic activity in the area by $2.60.
- Another study showed Cash aid to the unhoused was usually spent on housing, clothing, food and transit, not drugs and alcohol.
- Workforce investment
- Discretionary income spent creates stability for both employees & businesses.
- Increases employee attraction and retention.
- Ecomomic & business investment
- Businesses gain new customers & a higher customer spend.
- Fosters business expansion & attraction.
- Cultural & recreational interests explored.
- Community resiliency & sustainability
- Municipal tax revenue.
- Housing affects everyone in the community.
- Increased housing valuations & less crime.
- Addressing social issues impacts economic development.
- Addressing economic issues impacts social well being.
- Everyone needs a safe, affordable & healthy place to live.
