Without A Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey

2. Provincial and Territorial Governments
2.1 All provincial and territorial governments should
implement targeted strategies to prevent and
end youth homelessness as part of their broader
homelessness strategies.
Provincial and territorial governments should be key players in addressing
youth homelessness, yet currently only two provinces have identified this
as a priority (Ontario and Alberta). Youth homelessness is a ‘fusion policy’
issue that touches on many responsibilities of provincial governments,
including housing, municipal services, child and family services, education,
health, employment, and justice. Provincial plans should focus on:
a) Supporting community planning processes, including targeted
funding for work on youth homelessness.
b) Adopting the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness’ definition
of youth homelessness, which includes youth between the ages of
13-24, and ensuring ministries work within this framework.
c) Prioritizing youth homelessness prevention.
d) Supporting implementation of Housing First for Youth.
e) Inter-ministerial planning tables to coordinate activities within
government and to hold each ministry accountable for its role in
preventing and ending youth homelessness.
f) Conducting a jurisdictional review to ensure provincial legislation
and policy does not become a barrier to action on youth
homelessness (i.e. age cut offs that deny services and supports to
young people based on the assumption they are currently in the
care of parents or guardians).
g) Setting real and measurable targets for the reduction of youth
homelessness.
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