Community Advisory Board on Homelessness

The Brantford Community Advisory Board on Homelessness (CAB) is accepting applications for new members. The CAB is a catalyst for developing and supporting collaborative efforts to prevent and end homelessness across Brantford-Brant. The CAB supports Brantford-Brant’s contribution to Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy. 

 Enthusiastic members of the community who are interested in learning, and being advocates for issues around homelessness are invited to join the CAB. We’re looking for individuals who can represent the below categories:

  • Individuals with lived experience of homelessness
  • Seniors/ Senior Serving Community
  • LGBTQIA+/ LGBTQIA Serving Community
  • Indigenous Community Members
  • Veterans/Veteran Serving Sector
  • Newcomer Serving Sector
Responsibilities
The CAB plays a pivotal and distinct role in developing and implementing a local Housing First (HF) approach. The key functions of the CAB include:
  • Serving as an advisory body on RH allocations and funded projects to the Community Entity from September 1, 2022 - March 31, 2024; 
  • Support recommendations from the City as the Community Entity regarding the RH funding for 2022-2024 to projects that meet RH criteria and consider the priorities identified in the Brant and Brantford Housing Stability Plan;
  • To gain a current understanding of the extent and nature of homelessness in the City and County;
  • To raise social awareness of the root causes of homelessness and how the resolution of these issues betters the quality of life in this community for all;
  • To develop and advocate for comprehensive, long term solutions for homelessness in the City and County;
  • To facilitate in the development of community resources and capacity through the encouragement of partnerships; and
  • To advise and inform policy makers, elected officials and government officials on potential initiatives.

The Community Advisory Board (CAB) on ensures that the priorities identified in the Community Plan   are met through the funding process, and is generally responsible for:                                                                               
Developing committee Terms of Reference for the solicitation, review and recommendation of projects to the Community Entity, or Service Canada;

  1. Assessing progress in addressing the community priorities; and
  2. Ensuring a community plan is developed and updated annually
 Requirements
  • Work actively with other CAB Members to develop a community plan;
  • Advance the goals of the community plan within the individual Member’s capacity and resources;
  • Sustain a collaborative and consultative relationship with other Members of the CAB to advance solutions to homelessness and specific projects that address homelessness;
  • Maintain an awareness of current issues and government policies impacting persons in various stages of homelessness;
  • Regularly attend CAB meetings, actively participate in discussions, and contribute to the consensus process;
  • Represent the views of their constituents and have authority to speak on their behalf, clearly distinguishing when they are speaking on behalf of their constituents, the public, or presenting their own point of view;
  • Participate in working groups when required and possible;
  • Actively share leadership, expertise, information, and experience;
  • Where applicable and appropriate, obtain formal endorsement from their organization/agency/network for a specific initiative/action of the CAB;
  • Where required; assist with communications;
  • Adhere to the Confidentiality Agreement;
  • Adhere to the Conflict of Interest Guidelines.
 Commitment
 The CAB meets the third Thursday of every other month. CAB Members are accountable to the community they serve and are asked to commit a minimum of 24 months to participating on CAB. By seeking participation on CAB, members are also making a commitment to:
  • Work together in an effective and professional manner;
  • Adhere to a high standard of diligence and care in carrying out duties;
  • Avoid conflicts of interest;
  • Consider the views of others equally;
  • Maintain confidentiality

How to apply

Learn more and receive an application by contacting the Housing Stability department at housingstability@brantford.ca. Applications will be accepted until August 31, 2022 and reviewed by current members of the Advisory Board in the Fall of 2022.