Downtown Eastside Community Needs Assessment

Building Community Society (BCS) engaged CitySpaces Consulting to complete a Needs Assessment to inform the development of a new approach for delivering services in the Downtown Eastside (DTES). This draft approach, known as Project Lifeline, is focused on supporting the area’s approximately 300 residents experiencing chronic or recurrent homelessness and have complex and acute health needs. Project Lifeline is envisioned to be a one-to-three-year pilot program focused on addressing gaps, barriers, and systems failures. BCS is committed to securing funding and resources, building partnerships, and better integrating health and housing services to offer long-term solutions for stability and wellness.

CitySpaces completed an Environmental Scan to understand how the draft service delivery model proposed by BCS fits within the current landscape and identify opportunities to address existing gaps and barriers, as well as potential areas of duplication or conflict. In addition to this review of existing policy, programs, and development, our team connected with non-profit housing operators, health providers, and other key agencies who work closely with people living with complex needs. These interviews outlined an approach to engaging with people with lived and living experience of housing precarity, substance use, and mental health challenges. We met with people at shelters, drop-in centres, and supportive housing facilities to learn about their experiences. This information illustrates how the current system and service delivery model fails to meet the needs of those living with complex needs. The report includes further considerations for BCS as they refine their proposed Project Lifeline.

CLIENT: Building Community Society