As part of the Scarborough Housing Stabilization Planning Network’s (SHSPN) goal of improving the programs and opportunities that its agencies provide, the Network initiated this research project to explore homelessness and housing security in Scarborough. Drawing upon a review of existing literature and on community consultations, the study examines:
- The services offered by organizations working with homeless and at risk individuals and families in Scarborough, service use patterns, networks and partnerships between services providers
- The demographic make-up of Scarborough and policies that impact housing issues in Scarborough, including issues of illegal rooming houses, couch-surfing and multi-generational overcrowding
- The nature of Scarborough’s homeless and at-risk populations, their experiences of homeless and housing insecurity, the barriers they face in finding and maintaining housing, as well as service gaps and needs.
In addition to examining the needs, strengths and gaps in service in general for those who experience homelessness, are marginally housed, and/or at risk of homelessness in Scarborough, the study also explores the needs, strengths and gaps in services for various priority populations. These include LGBTQ2S adults and youth, women, individuals exiting incarceration, newcomers, Aboriginal people, seniors, and individuals experiencing addictions and mental health issues.
Further, the study examines how stakeholders can work better together to improve service access for clients and improve service efficiencies, and identifies priority actions for the community to address homelessness and housing security issues in Scarborough.
Community consultations included: surveys, short-interviews, and focus groups with individuals with a lived experience of homelessness or housing instability; a survey of service providers; a focus group with SHSPN members; and a community workshop. Some 213 individuals with lived experience and staff from 55 community organizations participated in the consultations.