The Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington (CRC) has collaborated with the Research Shop at the University of Guelph to design and conduct this literature review to explore strategies for effectively engaging with rural homeless youth. The County of Wellington is made up of seven municipalities, including Guelph- Eramosa, Erin, Puslinch, Centre-Wellington, Minto, Mapleton, and Wellington North and faces unique challenges related to homelessness due to the high proportion of rural and farming areas.

While several approaches for prevention, support, and responses to youth homelessness exist, these are typically developed and implemented in the context of homelessness in urban areas. There is less understanding of how to address youth homelessness and develop prevention strategies in ways that are specific to the needs and priorities of youth living in rural communities. As such, the CRC is looking to expand its outreach activities in rural Wellington County to provide support and services for youth who are experiencing or who are at risk of homelessness. The goal of this literature review is to gain a better understanding of existing strategies or methods for identifying, reaching out to, and connecting with youth who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in rural areas.