HOUSING FIRST for YOUTH

A Framework for

Dr. Stephen Gaetz Director, Canadian Homelessness Research NetworkProfessor, Faculty of Education, York University

National Housing First

DayJune 7, 2015

UnderstandingYouth Homelessness

Part 1

How are youth different from the adult homelessness population?

• Age• Adolescent development• Experience• Dependency and supports

Loss

When we let young people become homeless …

When we let young people become homeless …

• Health worsens• Mental health declines• Exploitation• Greater risk of addictions• Involvement with the law• Dropping out of school• Trauma and criminal victimization• Entrenchment in live on the

streets

The Key Question:

Can Housing First be adapted for youth?

Housing First for Youth!

Part 2

The importance of developing a response based on the needs of

young people.

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

Case Management• Client driven• Assessment• Family reconnection• Shelter diversion

Accommodation and Supports

Part 3

What kind of HOUSING is needed?

Youth need different Housing Options

SUPPORTS

Housing

Income/Education

Health

ComplementarySupports

Youth engagement

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

Conclusions!Part 4

Housing First

• Addressing youth homelessness means youth-focused approaches

• Housing First works best when it takes account of the needs of developing adolescents and young adults

• The successful implementation of Housing First for Youth requires fidelity to the core principles of the model.

Housing First

• Housing First for youth requires different models of accommodation.

• If Housing First is about choice, then accommodation options must include not only scattered site housing, but also transitional housing.

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

Housing First is not the only solution to youth homelessness …

Housing First

..… but is a key, evidence-based

intervention

Moving Forward!The challenges of implementation

Part 5

1

Politics of ScarcityPrioritizing chronically homeless

persons often pushes youth homelessness to the side

2

Moving beyond a program response

Housing First for youth must be embedded within broader community strategies to

prevent, reduce and end youth homelessness.

Lack of Community Readiness

3

Supporting Community and Provincial Planning Efforts

Working Together to End Youth Homelessness in Canada

To find out more …

Available on the Homeless Hubwww.homelesshub.ca

Questions or

comments?