Providing Opportunities for Young People to Build a Brighter Future: How Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) Changes Lives – Key Findings of the 24-month Outcomes Evaluation
When young people lose their homes, they face more than just the struggle of finding a place to sleep; they risk falling into cycles of instability that can last a lifetime. Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) is changing that story, with outcomes from our Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Social Innovation Lab demonstration sites illustrating its success in preventing youth homelessness. … More →
— August 13, 2025
Snapshot: The Family and Natural Supports Program Improves Youth Well-Being and Prevents Homelessness
A snapshot of how the Family and Natural Supports (FNS) program supports youth and their families, including those they consider significant in their lives—such as chosen family, Elders, coaches, and teachers—to foster stronger relationships, resolve conflicts, and help prevent youth homelessness … More →
— April 22, 2025
From Reactive Responses to Prevention-Focused Interventions: How Municipalities Can Tackle Youth Homelessness
The homelessness crisis in Ontario has reached alarming levels, and the latest report by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) paints a stark picture. Over the past decade, we’ve seen a troubling rise in chronic homelessness—individuals experiencing prolonged or repeated episodes of homelessness. The report signals that the already severe housing challenges are escalating further … More →
— March 05, 2025
Transforming Lives Through the Family and Natural Supports (FNS) Program: Key Findings of the 24-month Outcomes Evaluation
In recent years, the Family and Natural Supports (FNS) program has emerged as a promising practice for preventing youth homelessness, providing a lifeline for youth and their families. Our Without a Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey found that 77.5% of youth who experienced homelessness had left home because of problems and conflicts with their parents. A large number of them also reported … More →
— February 18, 2025
Exploring the Impact of Family and Natural Supports Interventions: Insights from Youth, Families, and Service Providers
Various interventions exist to reduce the prevalence of youth homelessness. These interventions can be broadly categorized as prevention, emergency services, transitional housing or permanent supportive housing efforts. The Family and Natural Supports (FNS) intervention is a prevention intervention that aims to strengthen the relationship between youth and their chosen natural supports and/or family members… More →
— November 09, 2023
Does Housing First for Youth Work in Canada? Preliminary Findings from a Pilot Study
Previous research has demonstrated that Housing First can be effective in preventing homelessness among adults in Canada. With no preconditions, such as abstinence from substances, ‘Housing First’ is a recovery-oriented approach that moves people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing and then provides them with additional supports as needed. The key basis of Housing First is that people are better… More →
— November 08, 2023
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 Peoples and 2SLGBTQA+ and non-binary youth, are more likely to have previous involvement with CPS and experience homelessness… More →
— September 21, 2023
The Family and Natural Supports Approach to Preventing Youth Homelessness – Early Learnings and Outcomes
Research shows that youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness have better outcomes when their family and natural supports are engaged in their lives. In this blog, we will highlight the early learnings and outcomes from an evaluation of the Family and Natural Support program in selected sites… More →
— March 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 →
— March 03, 2023
Pathways into Youth Homelessness
What do we know about how young people become homeless? While the answer to this question may sound simple, in reality, it’s very complex. This blog aims to explore the root causes of youth homelessness based on past and emerging research. In order to address youth homelessness effectively, especially if we want to prioritize prevention, we need to… More →
— January 26, 2022
Prototyping and Evaluating a Housing First for Youth Aftercare Support Model
The Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) program model – a youth-focused adaption of the successful Housing First intervention – is a promising example of how to prevent and support sustainable exits from homelessness for young people, by providing them with housing and well-being supports. But what happens when HF4Y services end? And how can HF4Y programs ensure young people are supported in the immediate and longer-term? … More →
— August 04, 2021
Push the Optimism Forward: Destigmatizing Homelessness and What We Can Do About it
For too long, policymakers have not treated the issue of homelessness with enough weight. It is often pushed aside in favour of more pro-growth agendas. For the most part, what we see today as “modern” mass homelessness has come from the rise of neoliberal policies that have led to a social housing crisis. Historically, before the millennium, efforts to bring the public’s attention to the issue of homelessness have not been a priority. Also, policies in the 1990s were not prevention focused and therefore allowed … More →