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): Katrina Milaney, Rosaele Tremblay, Sean Bristowe, Kaylee Ramage
Publication Date: 2020
Although Canada is recognized internationally as a leader in immigration policy, supports are not responsive to the traumatic experiences of many newcomers. Many mothers and children arriving in Canada are at elevated risk of homelessness. (1) Methods: This study utilized a community-engaged design, grounded in a critical analysis of gender and immigration status. We conducted individual and group interviews with a purposive sample of 18 newcomer...

Author(s): Cathryn Rodrigues, Rita Henderson, Katelyn Lucas Sean Bristowe, Kaylee Ramage, Katrina Milaney
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
Publication Date: 2020
Family homelessness is a complex and pervasive issue in Canada. Particularly troubling is the overrepresentation of Indigenous families in Canada’s emergency shelters and in unsafe/ unstable housing. Indigenous families headed by women are at high risk for racist and violent practices and particular attention needs to be paid to their gendered and cultural experiences. Western definitions articulate that homelessness occurs when an individual or...
Author(s): Katrina Milaney, Stacy Lee Lockerbie, Xiao Yang Fang, Kaylee Ramage
Publication Date: 2019
This study examines the impacts of structural violence on women and how this can influence their trajectory into and their sustainable exits from homelessness.
The research is qualitative and community-based, including 15 interviews with mothers living in emergency shelters and a group interview with nine professionals. An advisory group was formed through partnership with community services to provide project oversight and guide and interpret th...

Author(s): Katrina Milaney, Kaylee Ramage, Xiao Yang Fang, Marilyn Louis
Organization: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
Publication Date: 2017
This report examines social experiences for mothers and children who are experiencing homelessness in two shelters and one housing program in Calgary, Alberta. Currently, much of the research on homelessness and what works for supporting individuals into sustainable housing comes from research on the single, adult, male population.
This study provides evidence to better understand how families become homeless, and the experiences of mothers and c...
Author(s): Dorothy Badry, Christine Walsh, Meaghan Bell, Kaylee Ramage
Organization: University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work
Publication Date: 2016
This project explored the support needs of adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) within the episodically and chronically homeless population and the impact of FASD on service utilization, program compliance, and housing outcomes within the Calgary System of Care. FASD is a disability caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and can impact a person’s functional ability with regards to memory, planning, and understanding cause and effect. I...
Author(s): Dorothy Badry, Christine Walsh, Meaghan Bell, Kaylee Ramage, Julia Gibbon
Publication Date: 2015
The focus of this brief paper is to describe a current research project exploring the lived experiences of individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) who are supported by the homeless-serving sector in Calgary, Alberta. Individuals with FASD are considered vulnerable due to their disability, which often goes unrecognized and thus viewed as social, emotional and behavioral challenges. It is widely known that individuals with FASD face...