The Problem: A Stark Reality
Although research on Black youth continues to be limited, the available data makes it clear that Black youth are overrepresented among youth experiencing homelessness.
For example, the York Region Point in Time counts (in both 2018 and 2021) indicate that although Black youth make up less than 3% of the York Region population, they accounted for 13% and 10% of youth experiencing homelessness, highlighting a striking 4-5 time overrepresentation. It’s important to note that many frontline staff are aware of this overrepresentation in their work as well. As a service provider supporting over 2500 youth each year, Black youth sometimes represent more than 30% of the youth we serve at 360°kids.
We can also see this disparity reflected in the systems that contribute to youth homelessness. For example, anti-black racism contributes significantly to poor outcomes for Black youth in the education system, where Black youth are overrepresented in dropout numbers, suspensions and special education. This is a key pathway to keep in mind because poor education outcomes are connected to homelessness, victimization and criminalization.
The challenges become even more pronounced based on their intersecting identities such as age, sex, gender and sexual orientation. For example, young Black men and boys experience disproportionate challenges in finding housing due to discrimination based on stereotypes (Renting While Black, 2023; Living in Colour, 2021).
In order to prevent youth homelessness and meet the diverse needs of our young people, we need to become deliberate about addressing its distinct drivers. With Black youth, addressing issues of equity is especially important.
Moving Towards a Framework to Address Black Youth Homelessness
For more than 35 years, 360°kids has been providing housing services to young people in York Region, and on any given night, we provide a range of supportive and affordable housing to over 60 young people.
Over the years, a strategic focus for the organization has been to increase our focus on youth homelessness prevention and early intervention. In the past, we have done this by expanding existing programs and through the development and piloting of new initiatives such as the Upstream Project, Nightstop and Family and Natural Supports Program.
As we considered the data around Black youth and explored various housing models around Greater Toronto Area, we noticed that despite there being a clear need for housing services, a gap existed in the provision of housing programs that responded specifically to the challenges that Black youth face. We therefore saw an opportunity to take a different approach in our efforts and be more intentional about addressing the unique needs of the Black youth we support. This realization marked the beginning of what would become our Black Youth Housing Project.
What we intended to achieve by the project was this: affordable transitional housing for Black youth that provided culturally relevant supports, and that explicitly addressed the impact of anti-Black racism on the young person to reduce the likelihood of future homelessness. Our project was divided into 3 pillars to that contributed to this goal:
- Cultivating strong partnerships with the local Black community in York Region
- Conducting research to gather best practice approaches and to hear from youth
- Securing a physical location to house the youth
Thus, we required funding for a place where the youth would live and a specific model of service delivery, building on existing models of programming for Black youth. To ensure our project was grounded in the right principles, we explored the work of Black-focused organizations like Eva’s Initiatives, Woodgreen, Taibu, York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities and R.E.S.T. Centres to inform our approach.
With funding from United Way Greater Toronto and the Government of Canada through Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, we were able to move forward with the project. It allowed us to purchase a home, specifically in the City of Vaughan, home to the largest Black community in the Region of York. The funding also enabled us to hire Black designers from the community to advise on the interior design of the home and hire the staffing and research support needed to fulfill the goals of the initiative.
The Black Youth Housing project is guided by a dynamic Community Advisory Committee which includes Black community leaders, and Directors of local, Black-focused organizations. They shared their expertise and provided practical support in selecting and working with the consultant, LogicalOutcomes, who were engaged to do the research aspect of the project. With input gathered from the research literature, the Advisory Committee, service providers and the youth, LogicalOutcomes created a research report that outlines the specific needs of Black youth experiencing homelessness, as well as key elements that are needed to provide housing stability and reduce the risk of future homelessness.
What We’ve Learned So Far
The research illuminated the pressing need for culturally relevant services tailored to Black youth experiencing homelessness. Grounded in Critical Race Theory, our findings reiterate how anti-Black racism infiltrates various institutions, including the housing sector, to create barriers that disproportionately affect Black youth. The findings are clear: systemic anti-Black racism and related inequities must be addressed if we are to make meaningful progress in eradicating homelessness among Black youth.
Youth participants in the study articulated a vision for an ideal transitional home—one that feels like a true home, with warm lighting, comfortable furnishings, and spaces for socializing, creativity, and fitness. Privacy, safety, and a sense of community are paramount. They emphasized the need for culturally affirming programs, including Black therapists and social workers, mentorship from Black adults who have overcome similar barriers, and connections to Black professionals. These insights have informed the work we are undertaking over the coming months to create programming for the Black youth we serve.
In addition to the research findings, there have been other areas of learning. This type of initiative is not a solo effort of one organization. The insights and guidance of the Advisory Group in all aspects of the project has been critical. It was comprised of representatives from organizations that serve the Black community who are often doing this work with very little funding, but with amazing hearts.
Huge thanks go to REST Centres York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities, NACCA, York CAS, Region of York and ANCHOR Canada. The support of these organizations and other leaders in the Black community was invaluable to helping 360°kids, a mainstream organization, transition our work to be more culturally relevant and culturally informed.
Reflecting internally, we have also seen the importance of collecting demographic data at our organization and using it to shape our programming. Furthermore, this project has highlighted the importance of building our capacity through additional staff training to improve our service delivery to young people, and diversifying our staff and leadership, especially those with intersectional identities.
Looking Ahead, and Bridging the Gap
As we look to the future, our next step is to leverage the research, the partnerships and experiences to-date to build an effective model of housing that allows Black youth who have experienced homelessness to thrive.
We look forward to the many young people who will be supported towards post-secondary graduations, employment (including self-employment), and in emerging technologies and the skilled trades. We are excited to empower youth to build their credit and achieve their financial goals, including home ownership. We hope that this initiative will spur similar programs in other jurisdictions, and be an example of what can be done to achieve equitable outcomes.
As the CEO of 360°kids, and a Black leader in the homelessness sector, I have seen firsthand the systemic barriers that Black youth face. It is not just about providing a roof over their heads, but creating an environment where they can thrive, feel valued, and see a future full of possibilities. It is imperative that we, as a society, recognize and address the unique challenges faced by Black youth experiencing homelessness. This requires a commitment to culturally relevant services, systemic change, and sustained support. By adopting these recommendations and working collaboratively, we can create a future where no young person faces homelessness alone.
We must act now to build a Canada where every youth, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive. This is not just a moral imperative towards a more just society; it is also the first step to empowering every youth to become a positive contributor to our society and our economy. Let us stand together in this effort, driven by compassion, commitment, and the unwavering belief that we can make a difference.
Clovis Grant
Chief Executive Officer, 360°kids
www.360kids.ca