Upgrades and renovations for Phoenix House, and funding for permanent supportive-housing for families at 27 Purdue and 335 Juniper are just 3 of 8 active projects funded by Reaching Home in the first quarter of 2024.

Reaching Home is a federally-funded program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness in Canada.

Yesterday, Mayor Colleen Smook provided details about the role of the Lived-Experience Circle in that endeavour.

“The Circle is supported by co-ordinator and advisors from a wide number of organizations. It really helps with people that have experienced being on the streets, with them helping give directions means that dollars are going in the direction that they need.”  

Earlier this year, the city began the transition to using the Thompson Model, including the Lived Experience Circle,  for their Community Advisory Board on Homelessness.

They anticipate having the first truly functional Lived-Experience CAB in the country in place this summer.