Youth experiencing homelessness were identified as a priority target group in the development of the Wood Buffalo Community Plan on Homelessness and Affordable Housing in 2004. A youth shelter/safe house and drop in center was identified as a need during consultations with stakeholders held in 2005 with respect to determining the needs of the community’s homeless populations. Housing needs counts conducted in 2003, 2004 and 2006 also identified homeless children and youth as dependents of homeless adults but did not identify their ages, gender or circumstance. Further investigation was required to identify the true scope and nature of youth homelessness in the urban center of Fort McMurray. On May 15th, 2007 a point-in time survey was administered to Fort McMurray youth between the ages of 12 and 17 in junior and high school classrooms and at street locations where youth are known to congregate. It was administered via volunteers to youth at four downtown street locations. A review of current literature on youth homelessness and shelter and support services was undertaken in July 2007 and included material from government, academic, business and grassroots literature. The review focused on material published after 1998 and on youth aged 12 – 24 as this is the age most often cited in the research. In January, 2007 a Youth Shelter Sub-committee was struck to enumerate youth experiencing homelessness in the Fort McMurray region and to determine appropriate shelter and support services required to effectively address their needs. The study was requested by the Homeless Initiatives Steering Committee (HISC) as part of ongoing activities to address identified gaps in services and supports for homeless individuals and families and those at risk of homelessness. The Community Plan includes a priority to address youth homelessness by providing appropriate shelter and support services. The survey results indicate that Fort McMurray has a vulnerable youth homeless population experiencing a variety of issues that trigger or intensify their homelessness. The findings of homeless status were most prevalent among 14-17 year olds and highlight a correlation between youth homelessness and family conflict. Findings reflect that youth from care are over-represented in the local youth homeless population and illustrate that homeless youth are placing themselves in unsafe and/or undesirable and even criminal situations when they choose or are required to leave home. Youth are in need of supports to address family conflict and family breakdown and also to address youth addictions and cope with guardian addictions. There currently are no addiction facilities in Fort McMurray for youth. Promising practices in youth shelter provision highlight a number of key elements seen as effective methods of shelter provision and models of supports for homeless youth including:
• Meet youth’s basic and immediate needs for safe, affordable shelter (ideally permanent).
Summary Credit:
Homelessness-Related Research Capacities in Alberta: A Comprehensive Environmental Scan, prepared by Dr. Katharina Kovacs Burns, MSc, MHSA, PhD and Dr. Solina Richter, PhD, RN for The Alberta Homelessness Research Consortium (2010)