Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is the largest national research institute devoted to homelessness in Canada. The COH is the curator of the Homeless Hub.
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The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is the largest national research institute devoted to homelessness in Canada. The COH is the curator of the Homeless Hub.
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Author(s): Julian Hasford, Geoffrey Nelson, S. Kathleen Worton, Eric Macnaughton, Tim Macleod, Myra Piat, Ph.D., Sam Tsemberis, Vicky Stergiopoulos, Jino Distasio, Tim Aubry, Paula Goering
Publication Date: 2019
We examined communities’ expressed needs for capacity building in the implementation of Housing First (HF) for persons experiencing homelessness. The findings are based on thematic analyses of qualitative data obtained from participants (n = 77) in 11 focus groups conducted in seven Canadian cities. We identified capacity building needs in the areas of training (e.g., HF principles, clinical services, landlord engagement) and technical assistance...
Author(s): Geoff Bardwell
Publication Date: 2019
The impacts of social, structural, and physical environments on homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S) adults were examined. Qualitative inter-views were conducted. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically.
Participants discussed the ways in which social, structural, and physical environments negatively affected their experiences of homelessness, particularly those in emergency shelters. Discriminati...
Author(s): Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood
Publisher: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Publication Date: 2018
Communities across Canada need a national strategy to ensure the move to a zero-carbon economy leaves no one behind. For the first time, this report uses census data to identify the regions in each province with the greatest reliance on fossil fuel jobs. The new analysis comes after the federal government announced last fall it will launch a task force in 2018 on a “just transition” policy framework for certain sectors. In general, the broad goal...
Author(s): Nicole Forth, Kevin Manaugh, Ahmed M. EI-Geneldy
Organization: McGill University
Publication Date: 2013
ABSTRACT
The location of transit infrastructure distributes publicly-funded benefits to residents throughout a region. However, these benefits are not always distributed equally among different population groups. This research seeks to determine whether the benefits of Toronto’s public transit system are equitably distributed, and how these benefits change from 1996 to 2006 after the implementation of several transit projects in the region. We de...
Author(s): Philippe-Benoit Côté, Martin Blais
Publication Date: 2019
Despite the overrepresentation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) youth in the context of homelessness, little information is available on their utilization of homelessness agencies. Using a qualitative approach, this study aimed to identify homelessness agency use profiles among LGBTQ+ youth. Individual interviews were conducted with seventeen LGBTQ+ youths aged 17 to 25 years experiencing homelessness. Three profiles were...
Author(s): Peter Mackie, Sarah Johnsen, Jenny Wood
Publication Date: 2019
Vast human and financial resources have been spent in efforts to understand and address street homelessness. Yet, the problem persists. This think piece summarises the findings of a major review exploring the international evidence base on what works to end street homelessness (Mackie et al., 2017). It also reflects on the question: ‘if we know what works, why don’t we do it?’ Informed by more than 500 literature sources and interviews with 11 in...
Author(s): Sean A. Kidd, Nina Vitopoulos, Tyler Frederick, Mardi Daley, Kamika Peters, Khaled Clarc, Sue Cohen, Rose Gutierrez, Scott Leon, Kwame McKenzie
Publication Date: 2019
Peer support has a lengthy history in health and community services with particular prominence in areas such as addictions and mental health services. This growth in emphasis and evidence has not been mirrored in the area of youth peer support broadly nor peer support among homeless youth specifically. This situation has persisted despite the growing emphasis on youth lived experience engagement—including peer support. This paucity of literature...
Author(s): Ron Kneebone and Margarita Wilkins
Publisher: University of Calgary School of Public Policy
Publication Date: 2019
This paper discusses and describes measures of poverty and, on the basis of that discussion, proposes a public policy response that more closely and more easily targets income support to where it is most needed and most effective.
Author(s): Stephanie Dunn, Krystle Wittevrongel and Jennifer Zwicker
Publisher: University of Calgary: School of Public Policy
Publication Date: 2018
Despite the supports that have been put in place, Canadians with developmental disabilities (DD) continue to face obstacles in gaining and maintaining employment.
This communiqué offers suggestions for policy changes that may benefit all parties concerned.
(June 27,2018)
Author(s): Sherri Torjman
Publisher: Caledon Institute of Social Policy
Publication Date: 2014
Poverty and disability are intrinsically linked. People with disabilities face disproportionately high rates of poverty because they are excluded from participation in the paid labour market and from communities, more generally.
Author(s): Sherri Torjman
Publisher: Caledon Institute of Social Policy
Publication Date: 2014
This blog was prepared at the request of a University of Ottawa project that is encouraging dialogue on the progress of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Author(s): Sherri Torjman, Ken Battle
Publisher: Caledon Institute of Social Policy
Publication Date: 2013
The Caledon Institute will be releasing shortly the Welfare Incomes report. Its calculations make clear that welfare incomes fall below all major comparator measures.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for welfare recipients to make ends meet. Shelter allowances, in particular, have not kept pace with market rents.
Laurie is a Calgary resident who is on the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program in Alberta. Her poignant story,...
Author(s): Michael Mendelssohn
Publisher: Caledon Institute of Social Policy
Publication Date: 2017
The federal government’s promised poverty reduction strategy must be more than a one-time commitment. It must provide for independent continuing appraisal and reappraisal of where we are and where we need to be, as the economy and society change. This paper proposes that the Government of Canada, as part of its poverty reduction strategy, put in place a new ‘institution’ provisionally called the Canadian Council on Inclusion and Wellbeing. The pa...
Author(s): Ken Battle, Sherri Torjman, Michael Mendelssohn
Publisher: Caledon Institute of Social Policy
Publication Date: 2017
The Caledon Institute of Social Policy congratulates Finance Minister Bill Morneau and the federal government on its Fall Economic Statement issued on October 24, 2017.
Author(s): Ken Battle, Sherri Torjman
Publisher: Caledon Institute of Social Policy
Publication Date: 2016
Alberta, more than any other province in the country, has endured a period of fiscal pain unlike any time in its history. Precipitous drops in oil prices mean lower revenues for both resource companies and government. Rather than hunker down and retreat, the province has boldly proceeded with its promise to bring in a $15 minimum wage. It will increase the minimum wage in three incremental steps in October 2016, 2017 and 2018. At first glance...
Author(s): Ken Battle
Publisher: Caledon Institute of Social Policy
Publication Date: 2015
The idea of a Guaranteed Income to cure poverty has come and gone over the years. The concept seems to be on the upswing today.
Some people view a guaranteed or basic income as a potent cure for what ails Canada’s income programs. Others are dubious and believe the better way is to reform the current system by making use of the methodology of income-testing. This short paper explored these ideas at a Library of Parliamentary Seminar Series hel...
Author(s): Ken Battle, Sherri Torjman, Michael Mendelssohn
Publisher: Caledon Institute of Social Policy
Publication Date: 2016
The 2016 Budget is full of substantial announcements that will have a positive impact on social well-being.
Author(s): McCann E and Brown M
Publication Date: 2019
This purpose of this journal article was to explore homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning plus (LGBTQ+) youth and to identify their support and care requirements.
A search of relevant electronic databases was carried out and included the dates August 2008- August 2018 and limited to academic journals and peer reviewed empirical studies written in English. Included studies specifically addressed the homeless ex...
Author(s): Andrew J Baxter et al.
Publication Date: 2019
Homelessness is associated with poor health. A policy approach aiming to end homelessness across Europe and North America, the ‘Housing First’ (HF) model, provides rapid housing, not conditional on abstinence from substance use. We aimed to systematically review the evidence from randomised controlled trials for the effects of HF on health and well-being.
Author(s): Tamarack Institute
Publisher: Tamarack Institute
Publication Date: 2019
Canada’s first national poverty reduction strategy, “Opportunity for All” is a welcomed move forward for those working to eliminate poverty in Canada. The Tamarack Institute’s Vibrant Communities is dedicated to supporting cities in getting the most out of the strategy to support their work in reducing poverty in their community. As part of The Tamarack Institute’s partnership agreement with the Employment and Social Development Canada, we have c...