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HOUSING FIRST for YOUTH

A Framework for. HOUSING FIRST for YOUTH. National Housing First Day June 7, 2015. Dr. Stephen Gaetz Director, Canadian Homelessness Research Network Professor, Faculty of Education, York University. Part 1. Understanding Youth Homelessness.

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HOUSING FIRST for YOUTH

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  1. A Framework for HOUSING FIRST for YOUTH National Housing First Day June 7, 2015 • Dr. Stephen Gaetz • Director,Canadian Homelessness Research Network • Professor, Faculty of Education, York University

  2. Part 1 Understanding Youth Homelessness

  3. How are youth different from the adult homelessness population? • Age • Adolescent development • Experience • Dependency and supports

  4. Loss

  5. When we let young people become homeless …

  6. 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

  7. The Key Question: Can Housing First be adapted for youth?

  8. Part 2 Housing First for Youth!

  9. The importance of developing a response based on the needs of young people.

  10. 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.

  11. CORE PRINCIPLES Immediate access to housing with no preconditions. Youth choice and self determination. Positive youth development orientation. Individualized and client-driven supports. Social and community integration.

  12. Housing First Framework It is both PROGRAMand a PHILOSOPHY?

  13. The Application of Housing First

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

  15. Part 3 Accommodation and Supports

  16. What kind of HOUSINGis needed?

  17. Youth need different Housing Options

  18. SUPPORTS Youth engagement Complementary Supports Housing Health Income/ Education

  19. 1. Housing Supports • Help in obtaining housing • Housing retention • Rent supplements • Support when things go wrong • Aftercare

  20. 2. Health and Well-Being • Trauma informed care • Mental Health • Substance use and addictions • Harm Reduction • Healthy Sexuality

  21. Issues re: Harm Reduction • Youthful age of clients • Landlord concerns and liability • Friends and maintaining housing • Program and staff acceptance • Community acceptance • Government of Canada

  22. 3. Income and Education • Income supports • Training • Employment • Education

  23. 4. Complementary Supports • Life skills • Adult support and mentoring • Family reunification • Anti-discrimination environment • Supporting young people with children • Advocacy

  24. 5. Meaningful Engagement • Developing social relations • Community engagement • Cultural engagement • Meaningful activities

  25. Part 4 Conclusions!

  26. 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

  27. 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

  28. “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

  29. Housing First is not the only solution to youth homelessness … Housing First … but is a key, evidence-based intervention ..

  30. Part 5 Moving Forward!The challenges of implementation

  31. 1 Politics of Scarcity Prioritizing chronically homeless persons often pushes youth homelessness to the side

  32. 2 Moving beyond a program response Housing First for youth must be embedded within broader community strategies to prevent, reduce and end youth homelessness.

  33. 3 Lack of Community Readiness

  34. Working Together to End Youth Homelessness in Canada Supporting Community and Provincial Planning Efforts

  35. To find out more … Available on the Homeless Hub www.homelesshub.ca

  36. Questions or comments?

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