Participants in the Independent Living Account (ILA) program are shelter residents who receive support and incentives to save to rent their own place.

They complete a money management course, receive assistance to open a bank account and are provided a matched incentive for each dollar they put aside.

In 2008, the program received the Vital Ideas Award from the Toronto Community Foundation for its lasting impact on the community. The ILA has proven to be a cost-effective intervention for shelter residents and has a positive return on investment.

• A 2008 analysis calculated a $2.19 return for each $1 of program investment within the first year of program completion.

• 95% of the program participants who moved out of shelters were still living independently and renting their own place 8 to 15 months after completing the program.

• Surveys and focus groups conducted across Canada revealed that the ILA model could be equally effective for a number of groups vulnerable to homelessness, including Aboriginal Peoples, newcomers to Canada, foster children, persons living with mental issues and people who have had conflicts with the law.

Click here to read the latest reports on the ILA. To learn more about how you can support or bring the program to your community, please contact Barbara Gosse at bgosse@sedi.org.