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): Jessie I. Lund, Christopher J. Mushquash, Hugette Carty, Tina Bobin-ski, Sidney Lichtenstein, Mardi Daley, Sean A. Kidd
Publication Date: 2022
This study examines how Indigenous peer mentors in Northwestern Ontario were able to support Indigenous youth experiencing homelessness through a peer-driven project. The study highlights important considerations for organizations implementing Indigenous youth peer mentorship positions.
Author(s): Nick Kerman, John Ecker, Emmy Tiderington, Stephen Gaetz, Sean A. Kidd
Publisher: Journal of Mental Health
Publication Date: 2022
This 2022 study explores the impact of workplace traumas and stressors among service providers working with people experiencing homelessness in Canada.
Author(s): Alex Abramovich, Nelson Pang, Amanda Moss, Carmen H. Logie, Michael Chaiton, Sean A. Kidd, Hayley A. Hamilton
Publication Date: 2021
Background
LGBTQ2S youth are overrepresented among youth experiencing homelessness and experi- ence significantly higher rates of mental health issues compared to heterosexual and cis- gender youth. COVID-19 related challenges for LGBTQ2S youth experiencing homelessness remain unknown. To address this gap, this study aimed to understand the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on LGBTQ2S youth at risk of, and experiencing, home- lessness in the Great...
Author(s): Nick Kerman, John Ecker, Stephen Gaetz, Emmy Tiderington, Sean A. Kidd
Publication Date: 2021
Objective:
This study examined the scope of common mental health problems and perceived impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among direct service providers working with people experiencing homelessness in Canada.
Method:
This cross-sectional study used an online survey that was disseminated to homeless service, supportive housing, and harm reduction organizations and networks. Data were collected on depression, anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress,...
Author(s): Mariya Bezgrebelna, Kwame McKenzie, Samantha Wells, Arun Ravindran, Michael Kral, Julia Christensen, Vicky Stergiopoulos, Stephen Gaetz, Sean A. Kidd
Publication Date: 2021
This systematic review of reviews was conducted to examine housing precarity and homelessness in relation to climate change and weather extremes internationally. In a thematic analysis of 15 reviews (5 systematic and 10 non-systematic), the following themes emerged: risk factors for homelessness/housing precarity, temperature extremes, health concerns, structural factors, natural disasters, and housing. First, an increased risk of homelessness ha...
Author(s): Sean A. Kidd, Susan Greco & Kwame McKenzie
Publication Date: 2020
Homelessness is a persistent global challenge with significant health impacts on those affected. Homeless people are by definition the most exposed to weather conditions and the social and economic problems caused by extreme weather and climate change and variability. This systematic review was designed to synthesize the academic literature that addresses the health and social implications of global climate change for homelessness. The question e...
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): Naomi Nichols, Kaitlin Schwan, Stephen Gaetz, Melanie Redman, David French, Sean A. Kidd, Bill O'Grady
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...
Author(s): Sean A. Kidd, Stephen Gaetz, Bill O’Grady
Publication Date: 2017
This study was designed to provide a representative description of the mental health of youth accessing homelessness services in Canada.
It is the most extensive survey in this area to date and is intended to inform the development of mental health and addiction service and policy for this marginalized population.