This project is a multi-tiered case study of homelessness in three mid-size cities in Ontario. The project has partnered with the cities of Cambridge, Brantford and Wellington County to understand their communities’ perceptions and responses to homelessness. These cities face similar challenges around homelessness and are interested in developing an approach that is informed and guided through a human rights lens that maintains the rights and dignity of people experiencing homelessness and builds community resiliency.
The project is a collaboration between 10 scholars at three universities, including Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Guelph, York University, and the Canadian Addiction and Mental Health, and four community partners.
Key Components of the Research
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Stakeholder Engagement: Through the project, 86 interviews were conducted across the three cities, speaking to people who are experiencing homelessness, service providers, community members, business owners, and first responders.
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Document Analysis: Researchers examine a decade’s worth of documentation, such as policy and planning documents, council minutes, public resources, by-laws, and law enforcement strategies, to understand institutional responses to homelessness
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Media Analysis: The study analyzes five years of newspaper articles from Brantford, Cambridge, and Guelph to explore how homelessness is framed in the media and how public narratives differ between cities and over time
Note: This report is part of the NIMBY to Neighbours project. To learn more about the project, click here.