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 – Supported Transitional Housing 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, 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.

Multiple proponents may be awarded based on proposal evaluation and available funding. The Successful Proponents will provide supported Transitional Housing as part of Niagara’s community plan to coordinate housing and homelessness services systems that assist individual and families to improve their housing stability and prevent homelessness.

Supported Transitional Housing will facilitate the movement along the housing continuum towards permanent housing of individuals experiencing homelessness who are willing and able to work towards self- sufficiency by providing accommodation and other support services. It will be delivered in accordance with the philosophy of Housing First, and through a client-centred approach in alignment with local, provincial, and federal objectives.

Supported Transitional Housing will be delivered in accordance with Coordinated Access and associated policies as they 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 Proponents shall operate as part of Niagara Region’s Homelessness-Serving System, a group of agencies that provide housing and homelessness services. The Successful Proponents will participate in activities with Niagara Region, the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager and other interested and affected parties to transform Niagara’s Homelessness- Serving System to achieve its future state, aligned with the Ten-Year Housing and Homelessness Action Plan, Niagara Region’s Homelessness Services System Reviews (i.e., Whitesell Report, Prevention Framework, Shelter Capacity Review)  and Built for Zero goals.

The Successful Proponents will also work with Niagara Region to deliver supported transitional housing as described in Schedule A (including “A-1”, “A-2”, “A-3”, “A-4”).