The Year in Review: 2024

2024 has been a year of incredible milestones, community-driven successes, and powerful shifts in how we work towards ending homelessness!  

This year, we tackled homelessness head-on by gathering to share practices and problem-solve together through events such as our annual CAEH conference, our Community of Practice calls, Learning Sessions and others. Communities made measurable progress, advocacy efforts gained momentum, and new tools and resources paved the way for even greater impact. 

Here are the full highlights:

1. Some Important 2024 Gatherings  

In 2024, we came together to strengthen our movement, problem-solve, and share practices. Here are some of the key gatherings that helped drive progress: 

CAEH24 in Ottawa  

  • Our biggest conference yet brought over 2,500 participants together in Ottawa to exchange ideas, address challenges, and celebrate progress! CAEH24 materials and recordings will be publicly available in February 2025 on the conference website. Next year, the CAEH conference is heading to Montreal! Don’t miss out—add your name here to stay updated on CAEH25! 

BFZ-C Learning Sessions 

  • In March: We hosted an incredible in-person session in London, Ontario, where 27 communities from the BFZ-C Chronic and Veteran Cohorts came together to collaborate and share insights. It was a time to connect, learn, and plan the next steps in ending homelessness. 
  • In November: Our virtual session welcomed over 120 attendees for two days engaging discussions with sector experts, strategic planning, and knowledge exchange focused on advancing our shared goals. Access session materials in your Change Package. 
  • International connections – In November, we joined our U.S. counterparts in Minneapolis for a Learning Session that strengthened our shared vision. We celebrated milestones, explored emergent solutions, and built bridges across borders. 

Community of Practice Calls 

  • This year, we hosted a total of nine national open calls for all communities, creating space for peers across Canada to share insights, ask questions, and tackle challenges together.  
  • A number of different CoP calls were held for the BFZ-C Chronic and Veteran Cohort including monthly Data calls, monthly Action Oriented Case Conferencing Cohort calls, quarterly Leadership Policy calls, and twice annual Veteran calls. 
  • All CoP calls can be found on the Change Package website. If you need the password, please reach out to your Improvement Advisor or contact us at info@caeh.ca   

2. Communities continue to make progress despite challenges! 

Bright Spots: Success Worth Emulating 

  • St. Thomas-Elgin showed us that addressing encampments and reducing homelessness does not require the notwithstanding clause. Read the full story  
  • Thompson, Manitoba, introduced the Thompson Model of Lived Experience Leadership, setting a powerful example of inclusion and collaboration. Discover their model. 

Data Heroes 

  • A special shout-out to communities like Edmonton, Halton Region, Simcoe County, and Lambton County for their efforts in submitting data. These contributions are essential in driving real-time solutions and tracking progress. 

Halton joining BFZ-C Chronic! 

  • This year, Halton joined the BFZ-C Chronic Cohort. We’re thrilled to welcome them to the movement and continue working together toward impactful outcomes. 

3. Taking Action and Pivoting to Respond 

We’ve been listening to you because we’re in this together. Tackling complex problems requires agile solutions, and 2024 was a year of adapting to meet the evolving needs of communities. Here’s how we’ve pivoted and taken bold steps alongside you: 

  • Advocacy: This year, we rallied together to push for bold, systemic change and amplify the call for real housing solutions. Through the Canada Can Do It campaign, we worked to dispel harmful assumptions about people experiencing homelessness. The Homes Not Handcuffs campaign advocated against punitive measures and championed compassionate, housing-first responses to encampments. Thousands have already joined the movement to demand bold solutions—join the movement here. 
  • Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund announced: This fund will help communities launch targeted, data-driven projects to create real reductions in homelessness. Find out more.  
  • BFZ-C service delivery shift: BFZ-C has reimagined how we work with communities and is working to create a more aligned, responsive approach to accelerate progress. 
  • New Dashboards and Scorecards: We introduced new and improved tools to empower communities, including new dashboards for tracking progress and Scorecard Workbook 4.0, updated to reflect the latest requirements and best practices. These new tools can be found in your Change Package.  

Be a part of the solution. Help us end chronic homelessness. Donate