This Request for Proposals (the “RFP”) is an invitation by the Regional Municipality of Niagara (“Niagara Region”) to prospective proponents to submit proposals for Niagara Homelessness Service System – Housing Focused Emergency Shelters as further described in Section A of the RFP Particulars (Appendix B) (the “Deliverables”).

Niagara Region, as the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager (CMSM), is responsible for delivering and administering social and affordable housing and homelessness prevention services at the local level. The key responsibility as the service system manager is system planning and administration for the homelessness serving system, and it operates under rules established by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Niagara Region is also the Designated Community Entity for the Reaching Home Program, and Infrastructure Canada. Niagara Region works to establish and maintain relationships with community agencies, governments and other interested and affected parties to set priorities and identify gaps, allocating resources to meet local needs, setting and implementing accountability and policy structures, performance measurement and work together to reduce homelessness in Niagara Region.

The Successful Proponent will provide Housing Focused shelter services to persons experiencing homelessness. Recognizing that all persons enter, experience, and exit homelessness differently, all clients will have their basic shelter needs met while receiving housing- focused services that move the client toward appropriate and attainable housing options.

Housing focused shelter services will be delivered in a low-barrier, trauma-informed and harm reduction approach, using Housing First philosophies and a client-centered lens in alignment with local, provincial, and federal objectives.

Emergency shelter will be delivered in accordance with Coordinated Access, Niagara Region Emergency Shelter Standards, and associated policies. As the Homelessness-Serving System evolves, the Successful Proponent will modify service delivery as service system policies are developed, tested, and implemented by Niagara Region. Coordinated Access is a standardized process for intake, assessment, program eligibility, referral, and prioritization to housing and supports across the Region.

The Successful Proponent will provide homelessness diversion supports, and apply a diversion approach, policies, and procedures, as developed by the Region, Diversion Lead Agency, and community partners, to find safe and appropriate housing alternatives through problem solving conversations, identifying community supports and offering other creative solutions.

Through the leadership of the Diversion Lead Agency, the Successful Proponent, will participate in a Community of Practice, data monitoring and analysis, apply standards of practice and policy and continuous improvement activities. The Successful Proponent will engage in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Diversion Agency Lead (Successful Proponent of 2025-RFP 39- Niagara Homelessness Service System – Homelessness Prevention Services).