Ways to End Homeless and Houseless

There is a growing body of knowledge that helps us understand the nature of the problem and points the way to effective and sustainable solutions. The recommendations below highlight some of these key directions:

1. Communities should develop and implement clear plans to end homelessness, supported by all levels of government: Ending homelessness can feel like an impossible task given the overwhelming scope of the problem and its apparent complexity. But recent research and community experience with developing and implementing plans to end homelessness in Canada, the U.S., Europe and Australia, have highlighted how homelessness can be ended.

2. All levels of government must work to increase the supply of affordable housing: Ultimately, reducing homelessness is going to rely on adequate market rental, affordable rental and deep subsidy rental housing including Permanent Supportive Housing. Canada will not see a sustained reduction in homelessness without a significant increase in the affordable housing supply. The Federal government plays an important, but not exclusive, role in that housing infrastructure.

3. Communities – and all levels of government – should embrace Housing First: Housing First need not only be considered a program response. It is best applied as a philosophy that underpins plans to end homelessness, as part of a broader and more strategic response that ensures that all parts of the system support the Housing First agenda and that dedicated programs deliver the service. The success of the At Home/Chez Soi project demonstrates that Housing First Works. The successful application of the model in communities across the country demonstrates how it can be done and adapted to different contexts. 

No housing readiness requirements 

Choice and self determination 

Individualized support services Harm reduction 

Social and community integration 

4. Eliminating chronic and episodic homelessness should be prioritized: The chronically homeless often face higher levels of victimization, poorer health, high instances of substance abuse and mental health concerns. The longer an individual remains homeless, the more entrenched these issues become and the likelihood of effective intervention decreases. Though small in numbers, these individuals utilize a large portion of emergency services across the homeless sector but also in health, criminal justice and social services. Effective intervention for the chronically homeless requires an intensive, client-centered approach built on trust and long-term support. 

5. Ending Aboriginal Homelessness should be prioritized as both a distinct category of action and part of the overall strategy to end homelessness: Homelessness in Aboriginal communities is disproportionately high, especially in urban areas. As such, it should be prioritized in order to reduce discrimination and the legacy of cultural disruption. At the same time, strategies to end homelessness must include components that address issues of Aboriginal Homelessness (along with other distinct and marginalized groups such as racialized communities, or LGBTQ youth).

Source:

-Crewson, B., Moreno, A., Thompson, D., Kerr-Southin, M. (2011). Streets to Homes Pilot Program Evaluation. Victoria: Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness. 

-Dachner, N., and Tarasuk, V. (2013). Homeless Youth, Nutritional Vulnerability, and Community Food Assistance Programs. In S. Gaetz, B. O’Grady, K. Buccieri, J. Karabanow, & A. Marsolais (Eds.) Youth homelessness in Canada: Implications for policy and practice. Toronto: Canadian Homelessness Research Network Press. 

-Dunlop, J. (2006). Privatization: how government promotes market based solutions to social problems. Crit Soc Work; 7. 

-Eberle, M., Kraus, D., Pomeroy, S., & Hulchanski, D. (2001). Homelessness - Causes & Effects: The Costs of Homelessness in British Columbia. Victoria, BC: Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security.

-Eberle, M., Krauss, D., Serge, L. (2009). Results of the pilot study to estimate the size of the hidden homeless population in Metro Vancouver.