Youth homelessness in Winnipeg is a significant issue, with the 2022 Winnipeg Street Census reporting that 22% of individuals experiencing homelessness are unaccompanied youth aged 24 and younger, and 66% of them identify as Indigenous.
When discussing youth homelessness, it’s important to consider both the inflow of young people into homelessness and the barriers they face in exiting their situation. Factors such as lack of affordable housing, navigating colonial systems and systemic racism, inadequate support services, and social stigma contribute to a cycle of homelessness that can be difficult to break. Many youth have endured multiple experiences of trauma, often facing challenges like family breakdown, mental health issues, and previous involvement with the Child and Family Services (CFS) system. The harmful legacy of colonization further complicates these experiences, making it crucial to recognize the unique barriers Indigenous youth face in overcoming homelessness.
In fact, context is crucial when understanding youth homelessness in Winnipeg; about 50% of adults who experience homelessness reported that their first encounter occurred at age 18 when they aged out of CFS. Further, more than half had not completed their high school education. This connection highlights the need for targeted interventions and prevention that focus not only on immediate support for homeless youth but also on systemic changes that address the root causes of their situation.
Recognizing this pressing issue, End Homelessness Winnipeg hosted a 3-day event in October to unite a diverse group of individuals to discuss effective solutions to preventing youth homelessness. A key focus of the event was the ‘Duty to Assist’ legislation, which has proven successful in Wales. This legislation served as a focal point for convening partners from various systems to engage in these critical conversations.
This legislation mandates that local authorities take reasonable actions to end a person’s homelessness and stabilize their housing. In practice, ‘Duty to Assist’ entails offering support to those at risk of or currently experiencing houselessness, ensuring that stable housing and necessary support services are in place to prevent future occurrences.
About the Event
This event showcased the leadership of Indigenous youth who led the planning and execution, supported by their workers and community organizations. Their teamwork highlighted the importance of coming together—youth, community members, service providers, and representatives from various levels of government—around a shared goal of reconciliation and finding sustainable solutions to youth homelessness.
Attendees came from many sectors, including direct service providers, policy-makers, social workers, teachers, and lawyers. This diverse group engaged in meaningful discussions about creating a framework for preventing homelessness before it occurs. This collaborative atmosphere helped break down silos among various sectors, reinforcing that homelessness is a collective issue requiring collective action.
Each day began with an uplifting ceremony led by an Elder. Youth performers set the tone (and energy!) for the day by grounding the participants through Inuit throat singing, drumming, and jigging.
The Link Drumming Group performs in a drum circle.
Indigenous Youth Leading the Way
Throughout the event, Indigenous youth took the initiative and played a pivotal role in driving the conversations. One participant expressed how inspiring it was to be surrounded by vibrant youth-led conversations, with people who truly wanted to hear and amplify their voices for real change.
This engagement highlighted the importance of breaking down and navigating around bureaucratic barriers to uncover the core truths of these conversations. The youth’s involvement emphasized the need for inclusive practices that honour and respect the experiences and needs of all community members, forming the foundation for practical solutions that resonate with youth.
Insights from Guests Facilitators
A highlight of the event was the presentations by local, national, and international guest facilitators who shared their insights on effective youth homelessness prevention models.
- Jino Distasio, PhD, is a distinguished leader in housing and neighbourhood development, urban planning, and urban revitalization. He spoke about the importance of research and its capacity to improve lives in Manitoba and beyond.
- Brenda L. Gunn, a prominent Métis legal scholar at the University of Manitoba, is dedicated to Indigenous law and activism. An active participant in the global Indigenous rights movement, she has assisted the UN and created a handbook on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, aiming to promote justice for future generations.
- Peter Mackie is recognized for his pivotal role in implementing the ‘Duty to Assist’ legislation in Wales. His insights into this successful model sparked meaningful conversations about how similar strategies could be adapted to Manitoba’s context. Participants learned that in Wales, approximately two-thirds of those who received assistance in the first year successfully avoided homelessness—an inspiring statistic that underscores the potential for legislative frameworks to drive impactful change.
- Stephen Gaetz, PhD, CM, from the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness at York University, shared valuable insights regarding the impact of ‘Duty to Assist’ on youth and young adults facing homelessness. His research emphasizes the necessity of understanding the unique challenges that these demographics face, adding depth to our discussions.
These presentations ultimately established a research-based and historical foundation for the ensuing discussions.
What We Heard: A Momentum for Change
A strong sense of accountability and a collective drive for change emerged from our discussions. Attendees brainstormed how the ‘Duty to Assist’ could not only benefit youth and their families but also uplift entire communities. Some of the ideas that were brought forward included:
Schools as Hubs of Support
Schools play a pivotal role in the lives of our youth. They should be more than just places for education; they can serve as hubs of support where young people feel safe and engaged. By drawing students in and providing access to various services—mental health support, counseling, and extracurricular activities—we can create an environment that nurtures their growth and development.
Coordination is Key
One of the challenges many youth face is the need to constantly revisit their trauma or retell their goals and challenges to various service providers. Coordination and reliability in services are crucial. Creating a system where young people don’t have to recount their stories repeatedly can significantly reduce their stress and promote healing.
Infrastructure for Seamless Transitions
To facilitate smoother transitions and support, we need better infrastructure in place. This could look like a centralized database accessible to all relevant partners, where information about services and support options can be easily shared. This will not only streamline the process but also enhance transparency and accountability.
A Team Approach
Instead of relying solely on a single caseworker, we should adopt a team approach to support youth. By collaborating across disciplines and sectors, we can ensure that all needs are addressed in a holistic manner. This collective effort can lead to more effective solutions tailored to the unique circumstances of each youth.
Addressing Unique Needs
It’s crucial to recognize the unique needs of youth living on reserves. By focusing on specific funding and infrastructure aimed at providing opportunities to empower youth to thrive within their own communities, we ensure that appropriate access to housing and education means they don’t have to abandon their roots or move to urban areas in search of services.
Smoother Access Between Systems and Services
We need to build smoother access between various systems of support and services. For example, if a youth only needs to complete one non-disclosure agreement or oath of confidentiality, this not only makes sense from an efficiency standpoint but also respects their time and emotional capacity. Likewise, we need to reduce the barriers youth face when transitioning from youth to adult systems. Streamlining processes is not just about fiscal responsibility; it’s also about fostering trust and comfort among those seeking help.
Empower the Homeless-Serving Sector
Finally, for our prevention efforts to be successful, it is crucial to train and educate both managers and frontline staff to critically evaluate the current systems and why we need to shift our focus from reactive approaches to solutions that prioritize prevention. This will involve encouraging a willingness to embrace risks to explore potential solutions effectively.
Attendees engaging in roundtable discussions
Looking Ahead
Effective solutions must acknowledge the interconnected nature of various systems, including housing, education, healthcare, and social services. Advocating for systems change can create more integrated and equitable responses to youth homelessness, ultimately helping to prevent young people from falling into homelessness in the first place. A collaborative approach that brings together different partners—government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the community—will be vital in creating lasting change for youth in Winnipeg.
As we reflect on this pivotal event, it’s clear that the path to preventing homelessness is not only a legislative challenge but a societal one. The collaborative spirit fostered during the discussions suggests we are on the right track. Moving forward, it is crucial to continue these conversations and build on the shared momentum, ensuring that everyone involved knows their role in this vital work. Importantly, Duty to Assist can be done in our community, in our own way that reflects the needs of our community members.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all participants and especially to the youth participants for sharing their insights and facilitating such an impactful dialogue. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this important work together.
This event was co-hosted by End Homelessness Winnipeg and the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (COH).