What is Housing Case Management?

 Housing Case Managers help people who have been experiencing homelessness or are at risk of eviction find and keep stable housing. Case Managers provide support and guidance to help individuals and families overcome obstacles that may be preventing them from securing and maintaining a home.

We are a recovery focused program and work closely with multiple outside agencies, like Recovery Alberta (formerly AHS Addiction and Mental Health) to provide the best supports for long term housing success.

What Does a Housing Case Manager Do?

 A housing case manager works with individuals and families to:

 Assess Needs:  Understand the specific needs and challenges faced by the participant.

Develop a Plan:  Create a personalized plan to address these challenges and find stable housing.

Provide Referrals to Resources:  Connect participants with resources like financial assistance, job training, healthcare, and other support services.

Offer Guidance:  Help participants navigate the housing system, complete applications, and meet with landlords.

Support Stability:  Provide ongoing support to help participants maintain their housing and avoid future homelessness or eviction.

Role of the Participant

 Participants in the housing case management program are expected to:

 Engage Actively:  Work closely with their case manager, attend scheduled meetings, and follow through with the agreed-upon plan.

Communicate Openly:  Share their needs, challenges, and progress honestly with their case manager.

Take Responsibility:  Actively participate in seeking housing, applying for jobs, managing finances, and accessing necessary services.

Stay Committed:  Remain dedicated to the process and make consistent efforts to achieve and maintain housing stability.

Important Note

 While we are committed to helping you find and keep stable housing, it's important to understand that housing is not guaranteed through our program. CART does not have a hidden supply of housing units or funding. Our goal is to assist and support you in navigating the housing system and overcoming barriers to stable housing. We are here to help you stabilize your situation and stay housed, but the availability of housing will depend on various external factors.

By working together, we can increase your chances of finding and maintaining a stable home.

Click NEXT to proceed to the CART application

Welcome to the entry point into Lethbridge's Coordinated Access Entry system for housing and supports.

This survey is called the Coordinated Access Assessment Tool (CAAT) and is designed for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or facing eviction.

This survey asks about your homelessness, risks, daily life, and health. This helps us find the best help, supports and housing case management team for you.

The survey takes about 20 minutes.

You can:

• Stop anytime
• Skip questions you don't want to answer
• Take a break and come back later
• Ask for help if you don't understand a question

Your information will be kept safe and only trusted people will see it. Please be honest so we can help you the best way we can.

HIFIS Information and By-Name/Coordinated Access List Consent

I consent to the collection and storage of my personal information in HIFIS. 

• Basic details about me (name, date of birth, vetern status, etc)
• My housing history and factors that led me to seek services
• Areas where I currently receive supports
• Areas where I need supportsto help me find and/or keep my housing
• Health and legal issues that may impact my ability to find and/or keep housing

I consent to the sharing of my personal information in HIFIS and I consent to being added to the By-Name List.

• Only staff who provide you with services will be allowed to access your information
• The By-Name List is a real-time list of people experiencing homelessness, used to match individuals and families to housing related supports

I understand that my consent:

• Applies to my dependents under the age of 16 who are receiving services with me
• Will be valid for 1 year, unless I cancel it earlier
• Is not required for me to receive immediate, emergency services

I understand that I have the right to:

• Cancel my consent at any time by signing the Withdrawl of Consent Form
• Request a list of my personal information that is stored in HIFIS
• Request changes to my personal information if there are any errors

I further understand:

• If I cancel my consent, my information will be hidden in HIFIS except for my name, date of birth, and gender and further entry of my information into HIFIS will stop
• Non-identifying data from HIFIS will be shared:

1. with Government of Canada and Government of Alberta for policy, analysis, research and evaluation 
2. in local reports to support and evaluate services

Case Management Consent

I, {name}, give permission for my personal information to be shared with Lethbridge Housing Authority, the Coordinated Access Round Table (CART), and agencies that are CART partners or affiliates.

Lethbridge Housing Authority and CART help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness find housing and support services in Lethbridge.

By giving this consent, I understand:

1. My information may be used by CART staff and partner agencies to contact me and help match me with housing and supports that fit my needs.
2. I am responsible for making reasonable efforts toward getting and keeping safe, appropriate housing.
3. I will stay in regular contact with my referral worker or case manager and respond to messages.
4. If I am assigned a case manager, I will work with them, take part in agreed plans and meetings, and keep in contact as scheduled.
5. I will provide honest and accurate information and tell staff about important changes to my situation or contact information.
6. I will treat staff, other participants, and community partners with respect and in a way that supports a safe environment for everyone.
7. I can withdraw my consent for services at any time.
8. I understand that withdrawing consent may affect subsidies or programs that require case management or funds administration.
9. I may be removed from CART programs if I stop making reasonable housing efforts, lose contact, provide false information, or create safety concerns that cannot be safely managed.
10. All service decisions follow CART policy and fair process.

Participant Information
Name: {name}

 
Consent and Understanding

By signing, I confirm:

Voluntary Consent

• Giving consent is my choice.
• Refusing consent will not deny my basic rights or services, but may limit coordination of supports.

Consent for Individuals I Legally Represent

I may give consent for minor children or individuals I am legally authorized to represent, listed below.

Purpose of Collection, Use, and Disclosure
My information may be used only to:

1. assess housing and support needs
2. coordinate services between agencies
3. determine eligibility for housing programs or subsidies
4. support case management and housing stability
5. complete required de-identified program reporting

Information is shared only with authorized CART staff and partner agencies, unless permitted or required by law.

Risks and Benefits

• I understand the benefits of coordinated support and the risks of sharing personal information.
• I had the chance to ask questions.

Withdrawal of Consent

• I may withdraw consent in writing at any time.
• After withdrawal, no new sharing occurs, unless required by law.
  Withdrawal may affect eligibility for programs needing coordinated case management.

Access and Correction Rights
I may:

1. request access to my information under ATIA
2. request corrections
3. request limits on sharing, where legally allowed
4. obtain a current CART partner list

Safeguard

My information is protected using administrative, technical, and physical safeguards required by POPA.

Expiry

This consent is valid for one (1) year from the signature date unless withdrawn earlier.

PRIVACY STATEMENT / STATEMENT OF USE
CART operates through in-person services and a secure electronic information system used to:

1. complete standardized housing assessments
2. create individualized service plans
3. coordinate supports across agencies
4. produce de-identified community reporting to address homelessness
5. CART is administered by Lethbridge Housing Authority.

Collection, Use, Disclosure
Information is:

1. collected only as authorized by POPA
2. used only for housing, supports, and case management
3. shared only with authorized service providers who need it

External disclosure occurs only:

1. with consent, or
2. where permitted/required by law
3. No unrelated use is permitted.

Safeguards & Rights
Individuals may:

1. access records (ATIA)
2. request corrections
3. ask privacy questions