This report examines Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation client involvement within the programs and services offered by agencies that address homelessness.
The underlying premise of the study is that providing users of homeless programs and services with food and shelter maintains their status quo but does little to lessen their economic and social marginalization. By contrast, having clients participate in programs and services such as governance committees, as well as paid and volunteer work, can increase opportunities for personal growth and ways out of marginality. The report provides many examples where this has happened. It is the author’s hope that the study will encourage agencies to look more seriously at client involvement as a way to help homeless people help themselves. (Author)