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. These groups also face challenges accessing healthcare, education, and job opportunities… 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.
This blog explores reflective practice and how it could be a potentially useful tool to respond to the challenges encountered by researchers and service providers. In this blog, I will unpack the types of reflective practice that can benefit the homeless-serving sector and discuss some lessons for researchers and service providers while they navigate their work through COVID-19. … 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 understand what causes youth to become homeless in the first place. This understanding helps to identify best practices and propose appropriate program interventions. Without this knowledge, policies aimed at preventing and ending youth homelessness may not achieve their intended outcomes. Additionally, if we do not prevent youth from becoming homeless, in time, they may become chronically homeless adults. … More →
— January 26, 2022
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 →