Without A Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey

Not only does educational achievement contribute to better labour market participation,
but engagement in school is associated with less dependence on government benefits,
lower involvement in crime over the lifetime, and better outcomes in the areas of health
and well-being. A growing body of literature has shown than youth who drop out of high
school face a considerable disadvantage in the labour market and may face exposure to a
life of poverty (Statistics Canada, 2010; 2012b; 2012c; Sum et al., 2009).
Given the very high levels of high school completion in Canada, the very high drop out rate
amongst the young people we surveyed is concerning. While it is positive that 46.8% of those
who have not completed high school are still in school despite their homelessness, this means
that over half (53.2%) have dropped out. This is not a result of their lack of desire or motivation,
as 73.9% of those who have dropped out would like to return to school at some time.
53.2%
of youth experiencing
homelessness drop
out of school
< 9%
of Canadian youth
drop out of school
73.9%
of youth who have dropped
out would like to return to
school at some time
Importantly, our research also revealed that a high percentage of homeless youth report
being tested for a learning disability (50%) or ADHD (41%). Such learning disabilities are
amongst the most significant factors contributing to school disengagement by those who
have dropped out.
83%
reported they had
experienced bullying
at school
Finally, bullying in school was a common
experience for the young people we
interviewed. Among study participants,
46% said they were bullied a lot, and 37%
said it happened sometimes. Only 17%
reported no experience of bullying.
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WITHOUT A HOME: THE NATIONAL YOUTH HOMELESSNESS SURVEY