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): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2016
Currently, there is very little research examining the prevalence of problem and pathological gambling among people experiencing homelessness. To fill this gap, this study investigates the issue of problem gambling among clients of a homeless shelter in Toronto, Ontario. The researchers’ goal is to estimate the prevalence of problem gambling among these clients.
Prevalence of Gambling Problems Among the Clients of a Toronto Homeless Shelter ...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2016
Though studies have found that homeless individuals use emergency department services three to four times more than the general population, little research has been done to address the ways in which we can reduce this frequency of use. In this study, the researchers test whether a Housing First approach can lower emergency department visits among homeless adults with mental disorders. A Housing First approach prioritizes the need to shelter p...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2016
Homelessness and substance use often coexist. Lack of affordable housing, poverty, and current drug policies create an environment in which risks of substance use are increased. Ensuring that people have housing regardless of substance use can reduce these risks. Harm reduction approaches are an important part of strategies to end homelessness. A cornerstone of many comprehensive strategies to end homelessness is a Housing First philosophy and...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2016
Homelessness is partly caused by a lack affordable housing in Canada. Several cities have made attempts to implement plans to end homelessness. There is still a lack of coordinated funding. The federal government spends about $135M on homelessness. The ten largest communities receive 80% of the money. The remaining 20% is split between 51 communities. Smaller communities frequently lack the funds needed to create stable housing. Despite limit...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publisher: The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2014
There has been a lack of research that expresses the experience of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. This has allowed misconceptions about how people experience homelessness. One of these misconceptions is that Aboriginal Peoples travel between the urban centre and rural reservation. This research has confirmed that people who leave the reservation are not likely to move back.
No moving back: A study of the intersection of rural and urban homelessnes...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publisher: The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2014
Policy decisions are largely based on a body of evidence that can be drawn on. In the case of policies on Aboriginal Peoples experiencing homelessness, there is a lack of research on the dynamics of homelessness, including credible attempts to capture an adequate count.
A large number of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada live in urban settings. There are populations that also move between the city and reserves, however it is unclear the amount that d...
Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2014
In this episode, we’re exploring what it means to be young and homeless. We start with the story of Conor, a youth with lived experience who was able to break out of the cycle of homelessness, and is now a student at Mohawk College. Conor tells us his story, from his leaving home before his sixteenth birthday to finding his footing in a transitional housing program. (20 minutes - Listen to Part 1 here)
Next, we examine youth homelessness in Canad...
Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2014
On Monday, 24 February 2014, the Homeless Hub hosted a launch of the Coming of Age: Reimagining the Response to Youth Homelessness in Canada report. The presentations below highlight some of key projects presented within the report.
Introduction of the report by Stephen Gaetz:
Powerpoint presentation by Stephen Gaetz:
Powerpoint presentation by Mary-Jane McKitterick, National Community Development Coordinator of the “Mobilizing Local Capacity t...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publisher: The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2014
Street-involved youth adapt and develop skills that allow them to cope with many difficulties they face on the street. These skills can be forms of protection and sources of risk. But these strategies can only help youth for a limited time. Youth were able to more successfully cope with street life when they had access to sources of stable community and financial supports.
Coping strategies of street-involved youth: Exploring contexts of resilien...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publisher: The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2014
This research examines Canada’s responses to youth homelessness. Unlike the United Kingdom, Australia and even the United States, which look at youth homelessness as an issue separate and distinct from adult homelessness, Canada is lagging behind and tends to create “homelessness junior” services. The research, responses and programs that the author evaluates and examines in this report show that there are innovative and unique ways of responding...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publisher: The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2013
Homelessness can increase the risk of injection drug use amongst youth. This means that interventions that address housing may also reduce high-risk drug use behaviours. Programs that address risks associated with drug use are also necessary in order to limit exposure and likelihood of injection drug use and other high-risk behaviours.
Homelessness Independently Predicts Injection Drug Use Initiation Among Street-Involved Youth in a Canadian Sett...
Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2013
It’s the debut of the Homeless Hub Podcast! Our first episode sees us speaking with Dr. Valerie Tarasuk of the University of Toronto about food insecurity, food banks, and what needs to be done to ensure all Canadians know where their next meal is coming from, and that they can afford it.
Transcript
Interviewer: Hello and welcome to the first ever Homeless Hub podcast. Through this podcast we’re going to bring you stories, interviews, and resear...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2013
Suicide rates for street-involved and homeless youth are higher than the general youth population. Previous research has focused on the risk factors that increase suicide attempts and suicidal ideation (thoughts) among street youth. These include current and past experiences with unstable housing, victimization, depression, and substance abuse. This study considers the impact these factors may cause on both suicide attempts and suicidal ideation....

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2013
Youth reported learning about HIV and hepatitis in both nurse-run and arts messaging formatted programs. Youth responded more positively to the nurse led program, learned more and reported that it had a more positive impact on their lives.
Impact of Nursing Intervention on Improving HIV, Hepatitis Knowledge and Mental Health Among Homeless Young Adults was published in the Community Mental Health Journal, Volume 49, Issue 2 in 2013, pages 178–184...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2013
People who are experiencing homelessness have a larger chance of being exposed to Hepatitis B or C. A large percent may not be aware that they have the virus. This poses a danger to themselves and others. Case management has been successful in making sure people are aware of their exposure.
Impact of Hepatitis B and C Infection on Health Services Utilization in Homeless Adults: A Test of the Gelberg-Andersen Behavioral Model for VulnerablePopulat...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2013
Those who are homeless in Toronto have significantly higher than average death rates. They are 29 times more likely to have hepatitis C. They are also more likely to have heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Those experiencing homelessness have less access to healthcare. Over 50% reported not having a family doctor. The realities of increased illness, lack of treatment and lack of access also affects their ability to access end of life services.
I...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2013
Those who are homeless have a higher chance of getting hepatitis B virus (HBV). Throughout the United States there is an average of 2.9 out of 100,000 cases of HBV. A study made up of those who are homeless and have a mental illness or use substances found 32.5% tested positive for HBV. Hepatitis B can be prevented through a course of 3 doses of a vaccine. These must be administered at intervals within a 6 month period. The period and number of d...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2013
Deaths among homeless people occur at higher than average rates. This is partly due to higher rates of AIDS, cancer and hepatitis and also due to lack of access to regular healthcare services. Homeless people in Canada are entitled to public healthcare services; however, they can often be hard to access. There are barriers that prevent treatment, follow up and compliance with treatment.
Causes of death among an urban homeless population considere...

Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2013
Young women who are experiencing homelessness are eager to re-engage with school. This is most likely to occur when there are a range of supports available to them by agencies and when school staff provides long-term support. Efforts to increase access to education for girls who have lived on the street must take into account the need for learning approaches that validate their life experience.
Social exclusion, gender and access to education in...
Author(s): The Homeless Hub
Publication Date: 2013
Many thousands of Canadians experience homelessness each year. Recent estimates suggest that between 44% and 60% of homeless people have used illicit drugs in their lifetime. Homeless people tend to die younger than the housed population and tend to have complex end-of-life needs. This is partly due to illicit drug use and associated physical health problems. Accessing health care is a difficult task for homeless individuals who use illicit drugs...