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Publication Date: 2021
Using the examples of Canada and Wales, this article explores how international interactions are contributing to the transformation of responses to homelessness among young people. Focus is given to the shift from an emphasis in both practice and investment from a crisis response, to a stronger focus on prevention.
Organization: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness; A Way Home Canada
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, A Way Home Canada
Publication Date: 2018
It is time for a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to youth homelessness. The Roadmap for the Prevention of Youth Homelessness is designed to help service providers, policy makers, communities, advocates, researchers, and all people in Canada better understand the meaning of youth homelessness prevention. It provides a clear definition of youth homelessness prevention, a prevention typology, and a common language for policy and practice,...
Organization: The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, A Way Home Canada
Publication Date: 2018
Are we making significant headway on youth homelessness in Canada? Are we stopping young people from becoming homeless? Are we ensuring that young people transition out of homelessness quickly, and that they do not become homeless again?
It is time that we started taking a good, hard look at these questions. In our efforts to end homelessness, we have primarily focused on providing emergency services and supports to young people while they are...
Organization: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness
Publication Date: 2016
Mass homelessness in Canada emerged in the 1980s, following a massive disinvestment in affordable housing, structural shifts in the economy and reduced spending on social supports. Since then, stakeholders across the country have tried and tested solutions to address the issue. These responses, largely based on the provision of emergency services, have prevented meaningful progress. Fortunately, there are many signs that we are entering a new pha...
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, A Way Home Canada
Publication Date: 2018
It is time for a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to youth homelessness. The Roadmap for the Prevention of Youth Homelessness is designed to help service providers, policy makers, communities, advocates, researchers, and all people in Canada better understand the meaning of youth homelessness prevention. It provides a clear definition of youth homelessness prevention, a prevention typology, and a common language for policy and practice,...
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, A Way Home Canada
Publication Date: 2018
In this report we tackle the critical issue of housing stabilization for youth who have exited homelessness – a key component of any comprehensive approach to youth homelessness prevention. Housing stabilization for youth should include a focus on well-being embedded within each form of housing stabilization:
Housing Supports
Health & Well-being
Access to Income & Education
Complementary Supports
Social Inclusion
This report also consi...
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, A Way Home Canada
Publication Date: 2018
In this report we tackle the critical issue of evictions prevention – a key component of any comprehensive approach to youth homelessness prevention. This report outlines five key forms of evictions prevention:
Strengthening Laws and Legislation Protecting Tenants
Provision of Information and Advice for Youth and Their Families
Provision of Financial Supports for Tenants
Access to Legal Supports, Advice, and Representation
Targeted and Timely...
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, A Way Home Canada
Publication Date: 2018
In this report we tackle the critical issue of early intervention – a key component of any comprehensive approach to youth homelessness prevention. This report outlines a system of care for early intervention, drawing together three key areas of focus: (a) Integrated Services, Integrated Systems; (b) Coordinated Entry; and (c) Case Management. This system of care provides the framework for implementing five early intervention program areas, inclu...
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, A Way Home Canada
Publication Date: 2018
In this report we tackle the critical issue of systems prevention – a key component of any comprehensive approach to youth homelessness prevention. This report outlines three primary domains of systems prevention:
Transition supports for youth exiting public institutions and systems.
Enhancing youths’ ability to equitably access and benefit from public systems, supports, and entitlements.
Improving youths’ experiences and outcomes in public sys...
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, A Way Home Canada
Publication Date: 2018
In this report we tackle the critical issue of structural prevention – a key component of any comprehensive approach to youth homelessness prevention.
This report outlines 8 forms of structural youth homelessness prevention:
Poverty Reduction
Increasing the Availability of Affordable Housing
Addressing Inequity and Discrimination
Structural Prevention of Homelessness for Indigenous Youth
Breaking the Link Between Youth Homelessness, Migration,...
Organization: Wales Center for Public Policy
Publication Date: 2018
Over the summer of 2018, the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and A Way Home Canada conducted an international scan of policies and practices that are contributing to youth homelessness prevention. The Wales Centre for Public Policy commissioned this report for Public Policy, under the direction of the First Minister of Wales. Drawing together a extensive literature review, review of the grey literature, and consultation with international ex...
Organization: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and A Way Home Canada
Publication Date: 2018
In recent years there has been a notable shift in policy and scholarship towards preventing youth homelessness. In response to the shortcomings of reactive policy, countries around the world are developing, implementing, and evaluating ways to reduce the likelihood that any young person will become homeless.
In the context of a global shift towards prevention, this international review identifies evidence-based interventions, promising practices,...
Organization: Turner Strategies, A Way Home Canada, Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
Publication Date: 2017
The concept of “ending homelessness” has had significant impact on public policy and service responses in recent years. Just consider the number of “ending homelessness” plans, strategies, policy directions, and funding announcements not just in Canada, but internationally.
Currently, there is no internationally recognized definition of an end to homelessness, the type of indicators and targets, and a verification process for communities. This is...
Organization: A Way Home Canada; Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
Publication Date: 2017
In a caring and affluent society like Canada, it is unacceptable that any young person would become entrenched in homelessness as a result of family breakdown and systems failures. Despite little evidence that we are reducing youth homelessness, we continue to rely on crisis responses such as emergency shelters and day programs. Even worse, it is objectionable to simply rely on a crisis response to address the issue, exposing young people to harm...
Organization: A Way Home Canada, The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
Publication Date: 2017
With the release of Without a Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey (2016), we now have robust national data on the links between youth homelessness and child welfare involvement. Without a Home, conducted by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness in partnership with A Way Home Canada, surveyed 1,103 youth experiencing homelessness across Canada. Youth in 42 different communities and nine of the 10 Canadian provinces, as well as Nuna...
Organization: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness; A Way Home Canada; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Publication Date: 2017
With the release of Without a Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey (2016), we now have national data on youth homelessness for the first time in Canada. The mental health findings of this report are startling:
85.4% of homeless youth were experiencing a mental health crisis
42% of homeless youth reported at least one suicide attempt
35.2% of homeless youth reported having at least one drug overdose requiring hospitalization
Youth experi...
Organization: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness; A Way Home
Publication Date: 2016
Over the past 16 years, the Government of Canada, through its National Homelessness Initiative and the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, has actively supported communities across the country to address homelessness. While many communities have used part of their federal investment to support youth focused programs and services, there has not been a strategic focus on youth homelessness since the early years of the program.
In this policy brief, w...