Summary

Given the importance of transitional housing, the need for continued research into the housing challenges facing youth in Canada, and a commitment to learning about and contributing to the development of best practices, Peel Youth Village-Supportive Housing In Peel (PYV/SHIP) in partnership with the Region of Peel embarked on a twelve-month research project. This project evaluated the efficacy of the existing three-hundred and sixty-four day time limited tenure in PYVs transitional housing program for youth in supporting the acquisition and maintenance of independent living (broadly defined).

Specifically, the research team asked the following question:

Keeping in mind the mandates of PYV/SHIP, how does an additional year of housing support (defined as a housing benefit of $400 per month) impact the quality of life and success for youth in the areas of housing, employment and/or income, education/training, health, and community involvement and acceptance as they transition to independent living?

To answer this question the research team engaged 12 PYV youth (18 or older at the time of all interviews) as research participants for one year. Four were provided with a $400/month benefit that mimicked the economic supports offered by PYV and the transition to independent living for each participant was monitored. Those with the benefit fared significantly better in the areas of housing, employment, education and training and moderately better in the area of health.

In short, the findings suggest that one year is simply not enough to address individualized challenges (e.g. the long and short term effects of trauma, problematic substance use and/or addiction, debt). Nor is it enough time to address structural challenges (e.g. low welfare rates, high market rent, long wait times for housing subsidies, high rates of precarious low-paid employment among youth) that residents and former residents face.

In light of these findings the research team makes the following recommendations:

• PYV/SHIP offer a more flexible and individualized timeline of residency up to either 18 or 24 months.
• A pilot project providing a more flexible and longer period of residency for the next group of incoming residents.
• Specific attention to and more specialized programs for newcomer youth, Indigenous youth, youth who experience racial oppression, youth with disabilities, LGBTTTPQ youth, and female youth.
• A wider research project into the efficacy of strict time-limited transitional housing for youth in the GTA.