What is Coordinated Access and Assessment (CAA)?

Coordinated Access and Assessment (CAA) is Calgary’s standardized process for connecting people experiencing homelessness to housing and support services. Rather than requiring individuals to navigate multiple programs on their own, CAA provides a single, coordinated pathway into the homeless-serving system.

Through a common assessment process, individuals are connected to prevention, diversion, housing, and support resources based on their unique needs, strengths, and circumstances. CAA supports fair and consistent prioritization, ensuring that available housing opportunities are matched as effectively as possible, with priority given to those experiencing the greatest vulnerability and barriers to housing stability.

CAA strengthens Calgary’s homeless-serving system by:

  • Creating a more streamlined experience, reducing the need for individuals to contact multiple programs or repeat their story.
  • Providing early access to prevention and diversion resources to reduce new or prolonged experiences of homelessness.
  • Using consistent assessment and prioritization practices across the system to support equitable access to housing opportunities.
  • Improving coordination between service providers and referrals between programs.
  • Collecting standardized data to better understand community needs, identify service gaps, and support system planning and continuous improvement.

By bringing programs together through a shared process, CAA helps ensure that people experiencing homelessness can access the right supports at the right time, while making the overall system more efficient, transparent, and responsive. 

 

What is the Coordinated Entry Tool (CET)?

The CET (Coordinated Entry Tool) is a CAA triaging tool used to identify a participant’s needs in a consistent, standardized, and methodical way across the System of Care. The CET helps prioritize participant needs to determine which program is best suited to their circumstances. The process ensures fairness and equity in placements, focusing on serving those with the longest history of homelessness and those experiencing other vulnerability factors.

For more information on the CET, please see the HMIS section under Forms & Assessments.

What are Placement Committees?

Placement Committees review completed CET assessments to support triaging into Recovery Oriented Supportive Housing (ROSH) programs. These committees are made up of CHF funded agencies and System Partners, forming a Collaborative Service Delivery Group. Committees for Youth, Families, and Adults meet weekly to match participants based on program availability, chronicity and vulnerability factors, best fit, and participant choice.

How long will it take to get housing after completing a CET and Housing Plan?

Completing the CET with the CAA Team at SORCe or a CAA door agency guarantees that the participant will be entered into placement consideration. It does not guarantee housing or placement in a program.

CAA does not operate a traditional “waitlist.” Instead, participants are matched based on their needs and the availability of services. 

Participants referred to programs are applying to a housing and case management program, not just a housing unit. Participation in case management is required; participants will meet with a case worker regularly to work toward their identified goals. 

What is a door agency?

Some agencies act as door agencies into CAA. These agencies have Housing Strategists trained in completing the CET, building Housing Plans, and providing prevention and diversion strategies. These Housing Strategists operate as part of the broader CAA team and serve as access points to the Homeless Serving System of Care (HSSC) throughout Calgary.

How is participant information protected?

Participant information is protected in accordance with FOIP (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy). CAA adheres to these principles in all verbal, hardcopy, and electronic information handling. Participant information will not be shared with any individual or organization unless required by legal subpoena or with the participant’s explicit consent through a signed Release of Information.