Our Projects
Vink Consulting has completed a wide range of research, policy, evaluation, planning, and engagement projects for public and non-profit sector organizations. Our work focuses primarily on housing, homelessness, health, social services, older adults, Indigenous housing, and community-based human services systems.
Projects range from community needs assessments and housing strategies to homelessness system reviews, program evaluations, policy papers, service standards, engagement processes, and strategic and community plans.
Explore selected projects below.
Featured Projects
01.Muskoka Housing & Homelessness Plan
Vink Consulting supported housing and homelessness planning and system review work to identify needs, pressures, service responses, and opportunities to strengthen the local system.
02.Indigenous Housing Strategy for British Columbia
Vink Consulting worked as part of a team led by Indigenuity Consulting Group to support research and analysis for British Columbia’s first Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy.
03.Coordinated Access System Plan for York Region
Vink Consulting worked with United Way Greater Toronto and community partners to develop governance, policies, procedures, and tools to support coordinated access implementation.
04.County of Simcoe Review of Homelessness System
Vink Consulting reviewed Simcoe County’s homelessness system and developed recommendations related to service design, accountability, performance measurement, and service standards.
District Municipality of Muskoka
Housing and Homelessness Plan and Homelessness System Review
Service Areas: Housing · Homelessness · System Planning · Evaluation and Review · Community Engagement
Vink Consulting supported the District Municipality of Muskoka with the development of a Housing and Homelessness Plan and Homelessness System Review. The project examined housing needs, homelessness system pressures, service responses, and opportunities to strengthen the local housing and homelessness system.
The work brought together data analysis, policy and document review, engagement, and system assessment to support practical recommendations for future planning and service delivery.
Project Overview
The District Municipality of Muskoka engaged Vink Consulting to support planning related to housing, homelessness, and the local homelessness response system. The project was designed to help build a clearer understanding of housing need, homelessness trends, service use, system strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
The work supported the District in identifying strategic priorities and practical actions to guide future investments, partnerships, and system responses.
What We Did
Vink Consulting’s work included:
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Reviewing existing housing, homelessness, and service system information
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Analyzing local data related to housing need, homelessness, service use, and system pressures
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Examining current service responses and opportunities to strengthen coordination
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Engaging community partners, service providers, system stakeholders and individuals with lived experience
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Identifying strengths, gaps, pressures, and opportunities across the housing and homelessness system
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Supporting the development of strategic directions, recommendations, and implementation considerations
Areas of Focus
The project considered a range of interconnected housing and homelessness issues, including:
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Affordable housing need
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Homelessness prevention and housing stability
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Emergency shelter and crisis response
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Supportive housing and housing with supports
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Coordinated access and system navigation
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Service coordination and partnerships
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Data, outcomes, and performance measurement
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Local implementation priorities
Project Outcome
The project provided the District Municipality of Muskoka with an updated understanding of local housing and homelessness needs and opportunities to strengthen the homelessness service system. The work supported evidence-informed planning, clearer strategic priorities, and practical recommendations to guide future action.
Related Services
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Housing and homelessness plans
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Homelessness system reviews
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Service system planning
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Community engagement
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Evaluation and review
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Data analysis and needs assessment
Aboriginal Housing Management Association
Indigenous Housing Strategy for British Columbia
Service Areas: Indigenous Housing · Housing Strategy · Research · Engagement · Policy
Vink Consulting worked as part of a team led by Indigenuity Consulting Group to support the development of British Columbia’s first Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. The project supported the Aboriginal Housing Management Association in identifying housing needs, examining policy and program opportunities, and informing strategic directions for Indigenous housing across the province.
The work brought together research, data analysis, engagement, and review of promising practices to support an evidence-informed strategy grounded in the housing experiences and priorities of Indigenous communities and organizations.
Project Overview
The Aboriginal Housing Management Association undertook the development of British Columbia’s first Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy to better understand and respond to Indigenous housing needs across the province.
As part of the project team, Vink Consulting contributed research and analysis to help support the strategy’s evidence base. The work helped identify housing needs, service and system pressures, and opportunities to strengthen Indigenous housing responses in urban, rural, and northern communities.
What We Did
Vink Consulting’s work included:
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Supporting research and analysis to inform the strategy
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Analyzing quantitative data related to Indigenous housing need
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Reviewing literature, policy, and promising practices related to Indigenous housing
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Supporting the synthesis of engagement findings and research evidence
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Helping identify key housing issues, needs, and strategic considerations
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Contributing to the development of materials to inform the final strategy
Areas of Focus
The project considered a range of Indigenous housing issues, including:
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Urban, rural, and northern Indigenous housing needs
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Housing affordability, adequacy, suitability, and availability
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Homelessness and housing insecurity
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Indigenous-led housing solutions
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Policy and program opportunities
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System gaps and implementation considerations
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The need for culturally appropriate and community-informed housing responses
Project Outcome
The project supported the development of British Columbia’s first Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. The strategy provided an evidence-informed foundation for identifying priorities, advocating for investment, and advancing Indigenous-led housing solutions across the province.
Related Services
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Indigenous housing research
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Housing strategy development
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Policy research and analysis
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Needs assessment
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Data analysis
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Engagement synthesis
United Way Greater Toronto
Development of Coordinated Access System Plan for York Region
Service Areas: Coordinated Access · Homelessness · System Planning · Governance · Implementation
Vink Consulting worked with United Way Greater Toronto and community partners to support the development of a Coordinated Access System Plan for York Region. The project focused on the structures, policies, procedures, and tools needed to support full implementation of coordinated access across the local homelessness service system.
The work included engagement, governance development, and the review, revision, and creation of practical tools to support consistent, transparent, and coordinated access to homelessness and housing stability services.
Project Overview
United Way Greater Toronto, as the Community Entity for Reaching Home in York Region, engaged Vink Consulting to work with partners on the development of a plan and tools to support coordinated access implementation.
The project was designed to help strengthen how people experiencing or at risk of homelessness access services, are assessed for support, and are connected to housing and homelessness resources. It also supported the development of shared expectations, decision-making structures, and implementation tools for system partners.
What We Did
Vink Consulting’s work included:
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Engaging community partners and individuals with lived experience
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Supporting the development of a governance model for coordinated access
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Reviewing and revising existing policies, procedures, and tools
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Developing new materials to support coordinated access implementation
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Identifying practical considerations for implementation across the service system
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Supporting alignment between local coordinated access practices and broader homelessness system goals
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Preparing a Coordinated Access System Framework / Guide
Areas of Focus
The project considered key components of coordinated access, including:
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Access points and referral pathways
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Assessment and prioritization
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Governance and decision-making
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Roles and responsibilities of system partners
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Policies, procedures, and implementation tools
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Consistency and transparency in service access
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Coordination across homelessness and housing stability services
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Alignment with Reaching Home requirements and local system priorities
Project Outcome
The project resulted in a Coordinated Access System Framework / Guide to support implementation in York Region. The work helped clarify governance, strengthen shared processes, and provide practical tools to support more coordinated, consistent, and transparent access to homelessness and housing stability services.
Related Services
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Coordinated access planning
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Homelessness system planning
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Governance development
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Policy and procedure development
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Community and stakeholder engagement
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Implementation planning
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Service system design
County of Simcoe
Review of Homelessness System
Service Areas: Homelessness · System Review · Service Design · Evaluation and Review · Performance Measurement
Vink Consulting conducted a review of Simcoe County’s homelessness system to assess system strengths, gaps, pressures, and opportunities for improvement. The project included stakeholder engagement and data analysis to support recommendations for an updated homelessness service system.
The work helped identify opportunities to strengthen service design, accountability, performance measurement, and service standards across key homelessness program areas.
Project Overview
The County of Simcoe engaged Vink Consulting to review its homelessness system and identify opportunities to strengthen the effectiveness, coordination, and accountability of local homelessness responses.
The review focused on understanding the current state of the system, assessing the extent to which existing services were meeting intended outcomes, and identifying future directions for system improvement. The project also considered how services could be organized, measured, and supported to better respond to the needs of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
What We Did
Vink Consulting’s work included:
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Reviewing homelessness system data, documents, and program information
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Engaging system partners, service providers, and individuals with lived experience
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Assessing system strengths, gaps, challenges, and opportunities
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Reviewing current service delivery approaches and alignment with intended outcomes
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Identifying opportunities to strengthen service coordination and system design
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Developing recommendations for an updated homelessness service system
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Preparing accountability tools and performance measurement considerations
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Developing service standards for key homelessness program areas
Areas of Focus
The review considered a range of homelessness system components, including:
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Emergency shelter and crisis response
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Homelessness prevention and diversion
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Outreach and housing-focused supports
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Housing stability and case management
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Coordinated access and service navigation
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System roles, responsibilities, and coordination
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Service standards and expectations
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Accountability and performance measurement
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Funding alignment and service delivery models
Project Outcome
The project supported the County of Simcoe with recommendations for an updated homelessness service system, including service design considerations, accountability tools, performance measurement approaches, and service standards for each program area.
The review provided a practical foundation for strengthening system coordination, clarifying expectations across program areas, and supporting more consistent and outcome-focused homelessness responses.
Related Services
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Homelessness system reviews
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Service system design
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Evaluation and review
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Service standards development
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Performance measurement
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Community and stakeholder engagement
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Housing and homelessness planning
Additional Projects
Research
Town of Georgina
Housing Needs Assessment, 2025
Tags: Housing Needs · Research · Data Analysis · Community Planning
Vink Consulting completed a Housing Needs Assessment to help identify current and emerging housing needs, affordability challenges, and opportunities to support local housing planning and decision-making.
Government of Yukon
Opioid Treatment and Safer Supply Needs Assessment, 2022
Tags: Needs Assessment · Substance Use · Health Services · Lived Experience
Vink Consulting conducted a needs assessment related to opioid treatment and safer supply services in Yukon. The project included research and engagement to better understand service needs, system gaps, and opportunities to improve responses to drug poisonings and substance use harms.
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Innovative Municipal Contributions to Housing, 2018
Tags: Affordable Housing · Municipal Innovation · Environmental Scan · Research
Vink Consulting conducted research on municipal actions that have supported the creation of affordable housing, documenting examples of practical tools, policies, and contributions used by municipalities across Canada.
Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation
Secondary Rental Market Research and Policy Study, 2017
Tags: Rental Housing · Market Research · Policy Study · Housing Supply
Vink Consulting completed research on the secondary rental market in Manitoba, including analysis of market conditions, regulatory context, barriers, opportunities, and the potential role of secondary rental housing in increasing supply.
The Housing Help Centre
Hidden Homelessness Among Newcomers in York Region, 2017
Tags: Hidden Homelessness · Newcomers · Qualitative Research · Housing Need
Vink Consulting conducted research with newcomers who had experienced hidden homelessness in York Region, helping to build a stronger understanding of housing instability, service needs, and barriers faced by newcomer households.
Government of Nunavut
Homeless Count and Profile of Homelessness in Nunavut, 2014
Tags: Homelessness Count · Territorial Research · Housing Need · Community Engagement
Vink Consulting prepared a profile of homelessness in Nunavut, including a point-in-time count in the territory’s three largest communities and interviews with community organizations to better understand homelessness across smaller communities.
Policy Analysis and Development
Government of Canada
Promising Options for Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund, 2022
Tags: Housing Policy · Federal Programs · Policy Design · Research
Vink Consulting worked under the leadership of the Canadian Urban Institute to support research, analysis, and consultation related to the design of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund.
National Housing Council
National Housing Strategy Program Review, 2022
Tags: National Housing Strategy · Program Review · Engagement · Policy
Vink Consulting worked with the Canadian Urban Institute to support engagement on National Housing Strategy programs, helping gather and synthesize input from housing organizations, experts, and stakeholders across Canada.
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
Off-Reserve Indigenous Housing Paper, 2020
Tags: Indigenous Housing · Policy Research · Housing Need · Program Options
Vink Consulting prepared a policy paper on off-reserve Indigenous housing, including research on key issues, federal policies and programs, promising practices, and potential policy and program options.
Chatham-Kent
Affordable Housing Policies, 2019
Tags: Affordable Housing · Municipal Policy · Land Use Planning · Policy Development
Vink Consulting prepared policy recommendations to encourage new affordable housing development by private, non-profit, and other housing proponents within the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Evaluation and Review
County of Wellington
Stepping Stone Adult Shelter Services Review, 2025
Tags: Shelter Services · Homelessness · Service Review · System Planning
Vink Consulting completed a review of Stepping Stone’s adult shelter services to help assess current service delivery, identify strengths and gaps, and support planning for effective and responsive emergency shelter services for adults.
District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board
Homelessness System Review and Hub Feasibility Study, 2024
Tags: Homelessness · System Review · Hub Feasibility · Service Planning
Vink Consulting reviewed the local homelessness support system and explored the feasibility of a service hub model to improve coordination, access, and responses for people experiencing homelessness.
City of Windsor
Review of Housing with Supports Program, 2022
Tags: Supportive Housing · Housing with Supports · Program Review · System Transformation
Vink Consulting reviewed Windsor-Essex’s Housing with Supports Program to support system transformation, alignment with emerging best practices, and stronger outcomes for people requiring housing and support services.
Region of Niagara
Diversion Program Evaluation, 2022
Tags: Diversion · Homelessness Prevention · Program Evaluation · Shelter System
Vink Consulting evaluated Niagara Region’s diversion program pilot to assess implementation, identify lessons learned, and inform a broader approach to diversion across the homelessness service system.
County of Dufferin
Older Adults Services Review, 2024
Tags: Older Adults · Service Review · Community Services · Evaluation and Review
Vink Consulting supported a review of older adult services in Dufferin County to help understand current needs, service strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
Canadian Housing and Renewal Association
Evaluation of Housing Professionals Mentorship Program, 2018–2020
Tags: Mentorship · Housing Sector · Program Evaluation · Capacity Building
Vink Consulting conducted evaluations of the Housing Professionals Mentorship Program over multiple years to assess program outcomes, participant experiences, and opportunities to strengthen future delivery.
System and Community Planning
Parry Sound District Social Services Administration Board
Housing and Homelessness Plan, 2026
Tags: Housing · Homelessness · Community Planning · System Planning
Vink Consulting developed a Housing and Homelessness Plan to identify local needs, priorities, and strategic directions for strengthening housing and homelessness responses across the district.
County of Huron
Housing and Homelessness Plan Update, 2026
Tags: Housing · Homelessness · Strategic Planning · Engagement
Vink Consulting supported the County of Huron with an update to its Housing and Homelessness Plan, including analysis of local needs, system pressures, opportunities and recommendations to guide future action.
District of Comox Valley
Housing Action Plan and Assessment of Potential Direct Housing Actions, 2024
Tags: Housing Action Plan · Affordable Housing · Municipal Tools · Implementation
Vink Consulting led the development of a Housing Action Plan and assessment of potential direct housing actions to help identify practical opportunities to expand and support non-market and affordable housing in the District of Comox Valley.
County of Middlesex
Attainable Housing Review, 2024
Tags: Attainable Housing · Housing Needs · Policy Review · Community Planning
Vink Consulting led an attainable housing review for the County of Middlesex to assess housing needs, understand market and affordability challenges, and identify directions to support a broader range of housing options.
City of Windsor
Windsor Essex Housing and Homelessness Master Plan, 2019
Tags: Housing · Homelessness · Master Plan · Community Engagement
Vink Consulting worked with the City of Windsor to review and update the Windsor Essex Housing and Homelessness Master Plan, including analysis of housing and homelessness needs, community engagement, and identification of future priorities.
Community and Stakeholder Engagement
County of Wellington
Health and Housing Symposium Planning and Facilitation, 2024
Tags: Facilitation · Health and Housing · Community Planning · Stakeholder Engagement
Vink Consulting supported the planning and facilitation of a Health and Housing Symposium, bringing partners together to discuss shared issues, system pressures, and opportunities for coordinated community action.
County of Wellington
Emergency Shelter Standards Engagement, 2023
Tags: Shelter Standards · Engagement · Homelessness · Service Planning
Vink Consulting supported engagement on emergency shelter standards, including facilitation with service providers and people with lived experience to identify insights, priorities, and potential action items.
County of Lambton
Community Summit on Housing, Homelessness, and Addictions, 2023
Tags: Facilitation · Housing · Homelessness · Addictions · Community Engagement
Vink Consulting supported the planning and facilitation of a community summit focused on housing, homelessness, and addictions, helping local leaders and partners identify shared priorities and opportunities for action.
Homeward Trust Edmonton
10-Year Homelessness Plan Update Stakeholder Consultations, 2017
Tags: Stakeholder Consultation · Homelessness · Strategic Planning · Lived Experience
Vink Consulting designed and facilitated stakeholder consultations to support the update of Edmonton’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, engaging service providers, housing partners, systems partners, community members, and people with lived experience.