Coordinated Access

The coordinated access process (CAP) is a method of matching individuals experiencing chronic and episodic homelessness to a housing program that meets their needs. Program referrals are made based on the length of time homeless, acuity (SPDAT score), best program fit, and available program spaces.

CAP follows a triage model, which means the most vulnerable individuals with the longest time homeless and highest acuity are matched to a program first. All funded Housing First programs in Red Deer must participate in the weekly CAP meetings.

For more information on CAP please see the following documents:

Red Deer's System Framework for Housing and Supports and the Coordinated Access Process Committee Guidelines are living documents and continue to be updated.

Definitions:

Chronic Homelessness – Continuously homeless for a year or more, or have had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. In order to be considered chronically homeless, a person must have been sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation (e.g., living on the streets) and/or in an emergency homeless shelter.

Episodic Homelessness – Homeless for less than a year and has had fewer than four episodes of homelessness in the past three years.