Homelessness Prevention

What is homelessness?

The Canadian definition of Homelessness describes homelessness as “the situation of an individual, family, or community without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect means and ability of acquiring it.”

The Indigenous definition of homelessness considers the traumas imposed on Indigenous Peoples through colonialism. According the definition of Indigenous Homelessness in Canada, it is “a human condition that describes First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals, families or communities lacking stable, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means or ability to acquire such housing…Indigenous homelessness is not defined as lacking a structure of habitation; rather, it is more fully described and understood through a composite lens of Indigenous worldviews.”

What is Lambton County doing about homelessness?

Lambton County's Homeless Prevention Framework is designed to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness locate and maintain long-term housing.

The Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) gives funding to programs and supports within the community within the community. Funds are given to people who experience homelessness, are at risk of homelessness, and need help moving along the housing continuum. These funds can help with rental and mortgage arrears, utility arrears and connections, rental deposits and other resources needed to retain sustainable housing.

You can learn more about the County's Housing and Homelessness Plan and other initiatives in the Homelessness Initiatives section below.

The County of Lambton Housing Continuum

Our vision for Lambton County

Every person has an affordable, suitable and adequate home to provide the foundation to secure employment, raise a family and build strong communities.

Guiding principles of Lambton County's Homelessness Prevention System:

• Housing First Approach
• Housing with Supports
• Choice and Self-Determination
• Individual Centered
• Harm Reduction Approach
• Community Based
• Data Driven

Housing First Philosophy

‘Housing First' is an approach to ending homelessness that focuses on quickly moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and permanent housing and then providing additional supports and services as needed. Housing First has been proven to:

• Increase housing stability,
• Improve quality of life,
• Improve health and addiction outcomes,
• Reduce involvement with police and the justice system,
• Reduce costs associated with the justice system and health expenditures, and
• Reduce hospitalization and emergency visits.

Principles of Housing First

1. Immediate access to permanent housing with no housing readiness requirements - This involves working with individuals and families to locate and secure permanent housing as quickly as possible.
2. Choice and self-determination – Individuals and families are provided choices in terms of housing options as well as the services they wish to access.
3. Recovery oriented - Housing First practice is not simply focused on meeting basic client needs, but on supporting recovery.
4. Individualized and client driven – A client-driven approach recognizes that individuals are unique, and so are their needs.
5. Community integration – This involves promoting services and relationships that promote community belonging in the neighbourhood where individuals and families reside.

Learn more about the Principles of Housing First through the Homeless Hub.

Homelessness initiatives