CHRA s 2016 National Congress on Housing and Homelessness: Child and Family Homelessness in Canada

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1 CHRA s 2016 National Congress on Housing and Homelessness: Child and Family Homelessness in Canada

2 Agenda About Raising the Roof Child and Family Homelessness Initiative Report and Recommendations Dissemination and Engagement

3 About Us: Raising the Roof

4 Who are We? Raising the Roof provides national leadership on longterm solutions to homelessness Have supported over 187 community Partner Agencies nation-wide, and continue to support 50+ each year Develop ground-breaking research and tools Bring public attention to Canada s homeless

6 Child & Family Homelessness Initiative

7 We would like to thank... Lead Partners

8 We would like to thank... Lead Partners

9 Child & Family Homelessness: The Issue 3.1 million Canadian households living in unaffordable housing Between 2005 and 2009, the estimated number of children using emergency shelters grew by 50% 1,334,930 children (19%) living in poverty in Canada 5

10 Child & Family Homelessness Initiative We believe that by: educating Canadians, learning from and sharing innovative community-based work, and developing practical resources, we can develop solutions to child and family homelessness in Canada. 5

11 C&F Initiative: Our Goals Learn about current programs and services across Canada and internationally Create a comprehensive early intervention and prevention framework Develop resources that can be used by community organizations and government to encourage promising practices and generate recommendations

12 6 Emerging Framework

13 8 Methodology

14 Partner Agencies Campaign 2000: End Child and Family Poverty Ending Violence Association of British Columbia Family Enrichment and Counselling Service, Fredericton Inc. Homeward Trust Edmonton Oolagen Community Services Port Cares Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health YWCA Yellowknife

15 Family homelessness is largely underpinned by structural factors, including inadequate income, lack of affordable housing and family violence. Following the withdrawal of government housing programs and decreased supports, more families are turning to emergency shelters. Gaetz, S., Donaldson, J., Richter, T. & Gulliver, T. (2013). State of Homelessness in Canada: Toronto: Homeless Hub Press.

16 Framework: Primary Prevention Addressing the root causes of homelessness Works upstream Poverty cannot be separated from homelessness A family that becomes housed but remains in poverty continues to remain at risk of homelessness

17 Framework: Systems-Based Responses Systems-Based Responses refers to addressing homelessness (and related issues such as poverty, housing, and mental health) in a collaborative and crosssectoral manner.

18 Framework: Early Intervention Also known as secondary prevention. Means of identifying and addressing problems and conditions shortly after they occur or when they are at clear risk of occurring. Goal is to prevent homelessness or reduce length of homelessness if prevention strategies fail.

Affordable Housing 235,000 homeless every year, 35,000 every night. Many more families at risk.

19 A Need for Prevention Income Income insecurity from low wages, precarious employment, or decreasing social safety net. Poverty is a significant contributor to homelessness in Canada. 1 in 5 children live in poverty. Affordable Housing 235,000 homeless every year, 35,000 every night. Many more families at risk. Limited availability of units combined with the unique needs of families Childcare Child care is fragmented and disjointed across the country and there is no national child care policy. Food (In)Security In 2012, about one million children experienced food insecurity.

A Need for Prevention Discrimination Indigenous Peoples are more likely to be homeless and face ongoing discrimination and historical trauma.

It has direct and indirect impacts, not only on homelessness, but also on poverty, trauma, substance use and a cycle of dysfunctional relationships Children s Mental Health & Family Wellbeing

20 A Need for Prevention Discrimination Indigenous Peoples are more likely to be homeless and face ongoing discrimination and historical trauma. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Next to poverty, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)5 is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children. It has direct and indirect impacts, not only on homelessness, but also on poverty, trauma, substance use and a cycle of dysfunctional relationships Children s Mental Health & Family Wellbeing According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), approx. 1.2 million Canadian children and youth (1 in 5) are affected by mental health issues, yet less than 20% will receive appropriate treatment (MHCC, 2016). Stigma Racialized communities, Indigenous communities, young parents, single dads or simply the stigma of poverty.

21 Recommendations Government Develop a National Housing and Homelessness Strategy Develop a National Poverty Reduction Strategy Develop a National Coordinated Response and Action on Children s Mental Health Implement a One Child, One Case policy Develop province-wide plans to end homelessness Renewed Investment in affordable housing

22 Recommendations Community Agencies Develop a System of Care Develop trauma-informed services

23 Dissemination and Engagement Report Materials Putting an End to Family Homelessness in Canada Child & Family Homelessness: A Determinant of Children s Mental Health Report Summary Recommendations Dissemination Channels Website National Press Release Social Media Government Outreach Public Education Campaign

24 Thank You

The State of Homelessness in Canada 2013

A HOMELESS HUB RESEARCH PAPER The State of Homelessness in Canada 2013 Stephen Gaetz, Jesse Donaldson, Tim Richter, & Tanya Gulliver Homeless Hub Paper #4 ISBN: 978-1-55014-632-5 2013 Canadian Homelessness