In the past, preventing youth homelessness hasn’t been a priority in Canada or the United States, but things are starting to change. More people now understand that preventing homelessness is crucial to solving the issue. However, there is still confusion about what prevention really means and how to make it happen. This paper focuses on preventing youth homelessness and clearly defines what prevention is and isn’t. It also introduces a five-part framework that includes:
- Structural Prevention
- Systems Prevention
- Early Intervention
- Crisis Intervention
- Housing Stabilization
This paper explains who is responsible for each part and gives examples of different ways to prevent youth homelessness. Finally, it offers important tips and principles for creating effective prevention programs.
This research was funded by Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Social Innovation Lab, co-led by A Way Home Canada and the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness.
