Stephen Gaetz Director, Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Professor, Faculty of Education, York University Toronto, Canada

Housing First and YOUTH

July 30, 2014

Can HOUSING FIRST work for youth?

The causes and experience of homelessness for youth are distinct . . .

Therefore so must be the solutions!

Research on Housing First for Youth

• Scott, F., & Harrison, S. J. (2013). Calgary,

Alberta: The Infinity Project. In S. Gaetz, F. Scott & T.

Gulliver (Eds.), Housing First in Canada: Supporting Communities to End Homelessness, (pp. 61-75). Toronto: Canadian Homelessness Research Network.

• Forchuk, C., Richardson, J., Laverty, K., Bryant, M., Csiernik, R., Edwards, B., … Kelly, C. (2013). Service preferences of homeless youth with mental Illness:

Housing first, treatment first, or both together. In

S. Gaetz, B. O’Grady, K. Buccieri, J. Karabanow & A. Marsolais (Eds.), Youth homelessness in Canada: Implications for policy and practice, (pp. 95-109). Toronto: Canadian Homelessness Research Network Press.

1. Immediate access to housing with no preconditions.

2. Youth choice and self determination.

3. Positive youth development orientation.

4. Individualized and client-driven supports.

5. Social and community integration.

CORE PRINCIPLES

Housing First Framework

It is both

PROGRAM and a

PHILOSOPHY?

The Application of Housing First

HOUSING

What kind of HOUSING?

Youth need different Housing Options

Age appropriate models of accommodation for Youth?

Case Management

• Client driven

• Assessment

• Family reconnection

• Shelter diversion

Housing

Income/ Education

Health

Complementary

Supports

Youth

engagement

What kinds of SUPPORTS?

Help in obtaining housing

Housing retention

Rent supplements

Support when things go wrong

Aftercare

1. Housing

Supports

Trauma informed care

Mental Health

Substance use and addictions

Harm Reduction

Healthy Sexuality

2. Health and

Well-Being

Youthful age of clients

Landlord concerns and liability

Friends and maintaining housing

Program and staff acceptance

Community acceptance

Government of Canada

Issues re: Harm Reduction

Income supports

Training

Employment

Education

3. Income and

Education

Life skills

Adult support and mentoring

Family reunification

Anti-discrimination environment

Supporting young people with children

Advocacy

4. Complementary

Supports

Developing social relations

Community engagement

Cultural engagement

Meaningful activities

5. Meaningful

Engagement

Housing First

“For the first time in my life I am not living a program. I am living my life.” Youth participant in the Infinity Project, quoted by Kim Wirth, Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary

www.homelesshub.ca/housingfirstyouth

Housing First Framework for Youth report available at:

FOYER Report and Tool kit

Questions or comments?

www.homelesshub.ca