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Organization: Community Social Planning Council, Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness, Volunteer Victoria, Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness, University of Victoria
Publication Date: 2020
Between March 11 and 12, 2020, over 175 citizen volunteers and staff, along with a cross-sector of service agencies and community partners, participated in the Capital Region’s third Point-in-Time Homeless count and survey. This extensive effort counted at least 1,523 individuals who experienced homelessness on the night of March 11, 2020. On March 12, volunteers conducted over 850 surveys with people experiencing homelessness across the region,...
Publication Date: 2019
This project examined the effectiveness of a transitional program in breaking the cycle of homelessness. Within a community-based research approach, the authors conducted a case study to describe the program and participants within a context in which housing is largely unavailable and unaffordable. Although most participants successfully transitioned to housing few transitioned from homelessness to economic self-sufficiency in market housing and...
Organization: Union Gospel Mission
Publication Date: 2016
Executive Summary:
Recent point-in-time homeless counts in Metro Vancouver and City of Vancouver indicate a growing number of people experiencing homelessness in our community. Despite government investments in social housing and rent supplements, more people are homeless in Metro Vancouver than ever before.
Homelessness is the result of the interplay between structural factors (e.g. cost of housing and income), systemic failures where people “f...
Publisher: Canadian Observatory On Homelessness
Publication Date: 2016
The health outcomes of homeless people are poor, with higher rates of acute and chronic conditions than the general population (Hwang et al., 2011). Even more troubling is that people experiencing homelessness are subject to premature death (Frankish, 2005; Hwang, 2009). It is well known that the conditions under which homeless people live, such as having a lack of permanent and stable housing, inadequate income combined with food insecurity, soc...
Publisher: Canadian Observatory On Homelessness
Publication Date: 2016
As a result of inadequate housing and income, people experiencing homelessness face multiple health challenges, including poor health outcomes and lack of access to health care services (Frankish, Hwang, & Quantz, 2005; Hwang et al., 2011; Hwang et al., 2010). As a consequence of their living situations, people experiencing homelessness are more vulnerable to transmission of disease, especially during public health crises such as pandemics (O...
Organization: Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness
Publication Date: 2016
The 2016 Greater Victoria Point in Time Count (PiT Count) provides an estimate of the extent of homelessness as well as a snapshot of some of the needs of those who are homeless in our region on a single night. The last count and needs assessment was completed through the 2007 Homeless Needs Survey conducted by Victoria Cool Aid Society and the Community Social Planning Council. Starting in 2011, the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness...
Publication Date: 2016
Background: Managed alcohol programs (MAPs) are a harm reduction strategy for people with severe alcohol dependence and unstable housing. MAPs provide controlled access to alcohol usually alongside accommodation, meals, and other supports. Patterns of alcohol consumption and related harms among MAP participants and controls from a homeless shelter in Thunder Bay, Ontario, were investigated in 2013.
Methods: Structured interviews were conducted wi...
Organization: Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia
Publication Date: 2016
In March 2012, Shelter House opened a 15-bed Managed Alcohol Program (MAP) at the Kwae Kii Win Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The mission of Shelter House (2013, p. 5) is “to provide basic needs, dignity, and comfort to people living in poverty and stimulate action to address the root causes of homelessness.” At the Kwae Kii Win Centre, MAP participants are provided with permanent access to adequate housing and supports to help manage and regula...
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
Publication Date: 2016
In this chapter, our purpose is to describe the CASH (Centralized Access to Supported Housing) program and provide an overview of the findings and insights from an initial program evaluation. We begin with some background on centralized programs, a description of the CASH program and our approach to evaluation. We then present the findings and discuss their implications and recommendations for improving such programs.
Publication Date: 2014
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide rationale, methodological guidance and clarity in the use of case study research and theory driven evaluation in the evaluation of interventions to end homelessness.
Design/methodology/approach
Using an evaluation of a transitional shelter program aiming to support permanent exits from homelessness as an example, we show how case study approaches and theory driven research is well suited...
Organization: Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness
Publication Date: 2014
Family homelessness is increasing throughout Canada with increasing numbers of families staying in shelters. This national concern is mirrored in Greater Victoria. On one night in February, 2014, 70 families including 105 children were found to be using temporary or emergency accommodation. The number of families counted on one night does not adequately reflect the scope of the problem or the daily challenges that families face who are experienci...
Organization: Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness
Publication Date: 2014
On one night February 5, 2014, there were 1,089 individuals enumerated in 87 facilities, and 78 people were turned away from a facility. In total, 1,167 individuals were enumerated. Among those enumerated there were 70 families including 116 children. Of the 87 facilities 6 numerated, 56 of these facilities are located in the City of Victoria. The extreme weather facilities and emergency shelters were operating at 90% to 92% capacity on the night...
Organization: Center for Addictions Research of British Columbia, University of VIctoria
Publication Date: 2012
The aim of this project was to provide an initial evidence base and recommendations for development and implementation of policy and practice for including people experiencing homelessness as part of a community response to homelessness.
A scoping literature review was conducted focusing on homelessness and social exclusion/inclusion. Six themes emerged as central in understanding social exclusion and developing inclusionary policies:
Social exc...
Organization: CARBC
Publication Date: 2013
Managed Alcohol Programs (MAPs) provide regulated doses of alcohol to residents in supportive accommodation to address seemingly intractable health and social problems experienced by people with alcohol dependence, use of non-beverage alcohol and unstable housing. The Station Street MAP was evaluated for housing stability, access and use of health care services, social functioning, harms and patterns of alcohol use and changes in health.
Organization: CARBC
Publication Date: 2013
This report presents an evaluation of a Managed Alcohol Program (MAP) currently being provided for homeless men and women in the Thunder Bay, Ontario region who have severe problems relating to alcohol use and homelessness. The aims of the research were to establish whether the MAP was contributing to (i) improvements in health and well-being of participants (ii) reductions in their use of emergency, hospital and police services, and (iii) less h...
Publisher: Centre for Addictions Research of BC
Publication Date: 2013
The stigma and criminalization associated with illicit drug use is increased for people living in poverty, impacting health and acting as a barrier to accessing care. Negative experiences in hospitals can lead people to avoid seeking care and, if admitted, to leave before their care is complete. This CARBC research bulletin addresses the concept of cultural safety which has been used to guide nursing practice in ways that counteract the problems...
Organization: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (COH)
Publication Date: 2012
The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (COH) has developed a definition and typology of homelessness intended to improve understanding, measurement and responses to homelessness in Canada by providing a common ‘language’ for addressing this complex problem. Working in collaboration with national, regional and local stakeholders, including people with lived experience, we have developed a definition that draws on our shared history of attempting...
Organization: Centre for Addictions Research of BC; Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness
Publication Date: 2013
Facing Homelessness, provides information about some of the key factors contributing to homelessness. The Report also provides information about those at risk of homelessness, the extent of homelessness and our community response to homelessness.
Organization: Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness
Publication Date: 2012
We begin this report with information about some of the key factors that contribute to homelessness, including housing affordability and availability and costs of living for families and single individuals in our region. We have found that, although vacancy rates have increased, rental rates have also increased. While rental accommodation may be more available, it is not more affordable. Resources available to individuals and families on low inco...
Organization: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
Publication Date: 2012
The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of research on interventions that aim to end or reduce homelessness. Our specific goals were to gain an understanding of the different populations for whom interventions have been tested and the type of interventions evaluated, as well as to create an inventory of the indicators used to assess the effectiveness of interventions. We provide an overview of the methodology used to gather research on...