I am an urban scholar, researcher, and instructor with a Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Public Policy. I am currently the Senior Director of Research at the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (COH), York University. My research examines the intersections of social and health policy, geographic equity, and homelessness, with a focus on housing,, economic development, and community-engaged studies.
In my current role, I lead the Making the Shift (MtS) Youth Homelessness Demonstration Projects (DEMs). I oversee all aspects of the MtS DEMs, including methodological approaches and the implementation of long-term research strategies. Additionally, I guide site-specific research plans and lead the academic and public-facing outputs of research studies from the MtS DEMs.
In this website, as a media outlet, I write blogs, discuss my research, and occasionally share my take from urban life through photography.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Black youth experiencing homelessness and criminal justice involvement: findings from the without a home national youth homelessness survey in Canada
Ahmad Bonakdar et al. (2026)
Youth homelessness and involvement with the criminal justice system (CJS) are deeply interconnected in Canada, with Black youth disproportionately affected due to systemic and structural inequities. While research on race, gender, and the CJS is growing, the specific experiences of Black youth facing housing precarity remain underexplored. This paper investigates the relationship between Black youth homelessness and CJS involvement … More →
Uncovering the Hidden Crisis: Youth Homelessness in Canada and the Urgent Need for Systemic Change
Ahmad Bonakdar (2025)
Youth homelessness has emerged as a serious and deeply entrenched social problem in Canada, with recent data demonstrating that 40% of youth who experienced homelessness initially encountered it before reaching the age of 16 (Gaetz et al., 2016). This data is important because young people experiencing homelessness often have a history of trauma, such as … More →
Unpacking the Discourse on Youth Pathways into and out of Homelessness: Implications for Research Scholarship and Policy Interventions Youth homelessness in Canada
Ahmad Bonakdar (2024)
Youth homelessness presents a complex and persistent challenge worldwide, particularly affecting young adults between 16 and 24 years of age in the US and Canada. This population faces elevated risks of exploitation, victimization, and various health issues upon detachment from familial support structures. Understanding the multi-faceted nature of youth homelessness requires the consideration of individual… More →
Homelessness and the Manifestation of Social and Geographic Inequities: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Ahmad Bonakdar (2024)
The long-standing presence of structural-level factors that contribute to homelessness, such as poverty, unemployment, widening income disparities, colonialism, discrimination, and a shortage of affordable housing, has significantly perpetuated cycles of inequity for individuals experiencing homelessness. Recognizing homelessness as a manifestation of systemic inequi- ties allows scholars and practitioners to explore how the intricate… More →
RECENT BLOGS
The Relationship Between Youth Homelessness and Child Protection Services
Until recently, there were few Canadian research studies that examined the relationship between child protection services (CPS) and youth homelessness. However, available studies show a link between CPS and youth homelessness in Canada. Those in government care are more prone to substance-related behaviours. Additionally, some marginalized groups, such as Indigenous Peoplesand 2SLGBTQA+ and non-binary youth, are more likely to have previous involvement with CPS and experience homelessness. These groups … More →
— September 21, 2023
What is Reflective Practice? Some Lessons for Researchers and Practitioners in the Homelessness Sector during COVID-19
The gap between research and practice has persisted for too long. Evidence-based research should be accessible, practically relevant, and inform policies. This is particularly important in the COVID-19 pandemic era, as there is not much research that can guide practice. In the homelessness sector, the pandemic has created many barriers, challenges, and uncertainties for service providers… … More →