HOUSING FIRST for YOUTH A Framework for Dr. Stephen Gaetz Director, Canadian Homelessness Research...
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Transcript of HOUSING FIRST for YOUTH A Framework for Dr. Stephen Gaetz Director, Canadian Homelessness Research...
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?