EXPLORING EFFECTIVE SYSTEMS RESPONSES TO HOMELESSNESS

INTER-SECTORAL COLLABORATIONS
including a reduction in substance use and helping
participants to access health care professionals by
providing information and resources. The reduction
of costly ER visits impacts the cost effectiveness of
the program. Furthermore, homelessness is associated
with stigma and oppression. Having a fixed address is a
substantive step toward re-establishing the dignity and
self-worth that form the foundation of an individual’s
identity. Thus, individuals who have stable housing are
more likely to be successful in achieving goals to address
other life issues whereas those who remain homeless are
more likely to require extensive services that produce
little progress, impacting the ability to deliver service
throughout the entire system. This then also necessitates
the need for practitioners to advocate for programs like
London CAReS in to order to be able to better meet
individuals’ needs.
The contribution of this evaluation to the literature
on homelessness, poor mental health and addictions
in Canada and, more particularly, to individuals,
practitioners, health and social care agencies and society
in general, is that as Housing First is proven to address
and reduce homelessness, it would be prudent for all
levels of government and municipalities to adopt this
approach to ending homelessness in Canada.
Acknowledgements
Funding for the evaluation of this service was received
from the Homelessness Partnering Secretariat and the
City of London. The research and recommendations put
forth are the responsibility of the authors.
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