Housing and Homelessness Working Group
Social Policy Framework
The City of Lloydminster conducted a Community Social Needs in the summer of 2022 to determine the social wellbeing of the community. Over 2,000 surveys were completed, and more than 200 conversations were had in the community. From this survey, seven community priorities were identified which are:
- Access to Health and Social Services
- Income Inequality
- Transportation
- Housing and Homelessness
- Mental Health
- Safety and Security
- Access to Recreation
The issues identified through the Social Needs Assessment are complex and require a thoughtful and collaborative approach to be resolved. The Social Policy Framework was developed to create a common understanding for how community, business and government can address community issues collectively. The Framework provides a common vision, values, and roles, that provide everyone with the opportunity to contribute.
A collective impact approach to navigation and service delivery will better facilitate improved outcomes for community members while identifying critical areas for systems adjustments and advocacy. The model’s central purpose is to support navigation and seamless service delivery at the programmatic, systemic, regulatory and social policy levels – across organizations, local and interprovincial government departments.
The Lloydminster Social Policy Framework Leadership Model is designed to address a single objective – to navigate through and resolve systems barriers to provide seamless service delivery for Lloydminster residents.
Lloydminster Housing Needs Assessment
Housing and Homelessness was one of the seven priorities identified in the 2022 Community Social Needs Assessment. As part of the City of Lloydminster’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, the City conducted a Housing Needs Assessment.
- June 23, 2023: Work began on the Housing Needs Assessment and Strategy, This includes multiple focus groups with service providers, businesses and individuals conducted over six months.
- October 18, 2023: Point-in-Time (PiT) Homelessness count that incorporated national core standards and local recommendations. Interviews and tallies with people experiencing homelessness to understand the scale of context within our community.
- January 30, 2024: The City of Lloydminster hosted a Housing Needs Assessment Conference. 92 participants attended representing businesses, non-profits and the public.
- March 18, 2024: The Housing Needs Assessment Strategy was adopted by Council.
Point-in-Time (PiT) Homeless Count
A Point in Time (PiT) Count is a strategy used to determine the extent of homelessness in a community at any given night, or at a single point in time. Through the use of survey and enumeration, communities can get a better understanding of the complexities behind homelessness.
The City of Lloydminster conducted a PiT Count on October 23, 2024, and during this night, there were approximately 246 individuals experiencing homelessness.
Key findings from the survey report:
- 91% of surveyed participants expressed a desire to transition into permanent housing.
- The primary barriers to securing housing are tied to the cost of living, with 46% of participants citing low income and 42% reporting high rent as significant challenges.
- Additionally, 69% of surveyed participants had lived in Lloydminster for one year or more prior to the PiT Count.
The next PiT Count will take place in October 2026.
Housing Working Group
The City of Lloydminster established the Housing Working Group in July 2024. The Housing Working Gorup is a collaborative initiative between the City of Lloydminster and local non-profit housing group that aims to address urgent housing needs and prove support to individuals experiencing housing instability as identified through the Social Needs Assessment conducted in 2022.
Key Members of the Housing Working Group include representation from:
- The Olive Tree
- Lloydminster Region Housing Group
- Lloydminster Social Action Coalition Society
- Residents in Recovery Society
- SPARK Foundation of Lloydminster
- Lloydminster Métis Housing Group
- Lloydminster Housing Authority
- Catholic Social Services
Projects:
- Minimum Shelter Standards
- Strategic Planning Document: The strategic plan serves as a guiding document that provides the Housing Working Group committee with direction on how to prioritize projects identified in the Housing Needs Assessment.
- Housing & Homelessness Symposium