Programs That Work

Once we begin to dig deeper into the issue of homelessness, it can seem overwhelming. How can we even begin to solve such a complex issue?

Fortunately, the work of researchers and service providers has allowed us to identify programs that work. Whether it is a Housing First program that interrupts someone’s long-term homelessness, a Family and Natural Supports program that keeps a young person housed, or a shelter diversion program that quickly rehouses someone who has become homeless, there are proven interventions to prevent homelessness and ensure that any experiences of it are short and non-recurring.

One thing that all the interventions outlined in this section have in common is that they involve both housing and supports. It’s not enough to give someone shelter if their personal and financial circumstances mean that this housing is insecure. As well, supports that don’t come along with stable housing do not resolve someone’s homelessness.

A large number of these interventions focus on young people, and several are school-based. Forty percent of young people who are homeless first experienced homelessness before the age of 16, a time they were in school. Homeless young people are very likely to become homeless adults, so interrupting the cycle of homelessness among youths is key to preventing homelessness overall.

Finally, these interventions all come out of the intersection between research and practice. Even an established model like Housing First started off as a pilot project. Housing First for Youth, a much more recent program, has been piloted in numerous countries, and the results have been such that it is being implemented across Europe and North America. Other programs, like Upstream and Reconnect, are still in the pilot phase, with researchers actively involved in administering and evaluating the programs to advise policy and programming decisions.

Rather than feel overwhelmed by the challenge posed by homelessness, we can learn about practices that work and think about how to get them implemented in our communities.