Without A Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey

The consequences and outcomes of becoming
chronically homeless are all too evident, based
on these indicators. The high levels of chronicity
identified in this study clearly suggest that not
enough is being done to move young people out
of homelessness as rapidly as possible.
This data provides clear implications for policy and
practice. It is clear that our efforts need to shift
from a prolonged crisis response to ensuring that
each young person’s experience of homelessness
is rare, brief, and non-recurring.
“A big change for us in the
way we work with young
people came when we
began to ask, ‘How can we
make this experience of
homelessness their last?’”
KIM WIRTH, BOYS AND GIRLS
CLUBS OF CALGARY
Housing First for Youth (HF4Y)
Effective models to address these complex challenges exist. Perhaps the most effective
approach is to broadly employ Housing First for Youth. As an adaptation of the successful
Housing First model, the Framework for Housing First for Youth was developed in Canada
in 2014 as a key strategy and intervention for young people who have already experienced
homelessness. It means taking the established Housing First model and adapting it to
meet the needs of developing adolescents and young adults. As a program intervention,
it means moving youth out of homelessness as quickly as possible with no preconditions.
Young people are provided with a range of housing options, including returning home
(with supports), supportive housing, transitional housing (including evidence-based
models such as the Foyer), and scattered site independent living. Key to this approach is
that young people are provided with a range of supports designed for youth that will help
them maintain housing, learn life skills, have positive relationships with peers and adults,
and re-engage with school, employment training, and/or employment. HF4Y is a form
of youth homelessness prevention because it is designed to reduce the risk that young
people will ever experience homelessness again.
Shifting to the prevention of youth homelessness through HF4Y means giving young
people who are at risk of homelessness, or who have experienced homelessness, the same
opportunities as any other young person. It means providing the wrap-around supports
that would help any young person make a successful transition to adulthood. It means
WITHOUT A HOME: THE NATIONAL YOUTH HOMELESSNESS SURVEY
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