The City of Brantford has been formally recognized as the second community in Canada to confirm Unsheltered Quality By-Name Data (QBND) 4.0, a milestone that signals a significant step forward in how the community understands and responds to homelessness.
The designation was confirmed by Built for Zero Canada (BFZ-C) and recognized by the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, following an independent review process that validated the City’s data systems, processes, and reporting standards related to unsheltered homelessness.
Achieving the Unsheltered QBND 4.0 standard requires communities to meet rigorous national benchmarks designed to ensure that homelessness data is accurate, current, and actionable. The City of Brantford completed a comprehensive self-assessment of all additional foundational elements of unsheltered homelessness under the QBND 4.0 scorecard in December 2025. That assessment was independently confirmed by BFZ-C in January 2026. The City also demonstrated more than three consecutive months of reliable, verified unsheltered by-name data through consistent monthly submissions.
“This recognition reflects the dedication and professionalism of City of Brantford staff who work every day to respond to homelessness in our community,” said Kevin Davis, Mayor of Brantford. “Having reliable, real-time data allows us to better understand the needs in our community and ensures the decisions are guided by comprehensive evidence, not assumptions.”
The recognition affirms that the City now maintains a dependable, real-time by-name list that identifies individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. By-name data tracks people individually rather than relying on estimates or point-in-time counts, allowing communities to better understand who is experiencing homelessness, how long they remain unhoused, and what supports are required to move them into stable housing.
As the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager for both Brantford and the County of Brant, the City of Brantford is responsible for overseeing housing and homelessness services, Ontario Works, and children’s services across the region. With all QBND 4.0 requirements met, the City has confirmed its capacity to accurately understand the scope of unsheltered homelessness throughout the service area and to respond with targeted, evidence-based interventions.
Municipal officials say the data will play a critical role in improving coordination among housing providers, outreach teams, and support agencies. Reliable by-name data enables service providers to prioritize individuals with the highest needs, reduce duplication of services, and better align housing placements with appropriate supports.
Beyond day-to-day service delivery, the data is expected to support long-term planning and accountability. By monitoring trends over time, the City can assess whether interventions are reducing homelessness, identify gaps in the local system, and adjust strategies as conditions change. The information also strengthens the City’s ability to advocate for provincial and federal funding by demonstrating needs through verified, up-to-date evidence.
Built for Zero Canada is part of a national movement that supports communities in using data-driven approaches to end chronic and unsheltered homelessness. Communities that meet the QBND 4.0 standard demonstrate that their data is comprehensive, person-specific, and regularly updated, allowing for more effective system-wide responses.
City officials emphasized that the achievement reflects collaboration across the local homelessness response system. The recognition acknowledges the combined efforts of municipal staff, community agencies, outreach workers, and service providers who contribute data, verify information, and engage directly with people experiencing homelessness.
By becoming only the second community in Canada to reach the Unsheltered QBND 4.0 standard, Brantford positions itself as a national leader in evidence-based homelessness response. City leaders say maintaining the standard will require ongoing commitment to data quality, partnership, and continuous improvement, but the foundation now in place will support better outcomes for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Brantford and the County of Brant.
