Canada’s plan to combat youth homelessness

Canada has a reputation for being a country that offers great opportunities for its residents. Many people come to Canada in search of a better life, where they can achieve their goals and build a future for themselves and their families.

Despite this, Canada also has a serious issue of youth homelessness, which has a profound impact on the lives of young people and their families. Canada is home to one of the highest rates of youth homelessness in the developed world. One in every three Canadian children experiences homelessness at some point in their lives. It is estimated that between 20,000 and 30,000 young people are homeless each year in Canada. This staggering figure represents an increase of 75% since 2008. To combat this issue, the government has introduced a variety of programs and policies that aim to provide homeless youth with the support they need.

The Canadian Network to End Youth Homelessness is a national movement of organizations, individuals and communities working together to end youth homelessness in Canada. The Network is made up of more than 70 member organizations, including shelters, drop-in centres, youth outreach programs, youth service providers etc. Paired with a variety of other resources that are all free, Canada has made a solid start to combat the issue of homelessness.

Other such programs are Reaching Home and Housing First. Reaching home is a community-based initiative that provides direct support and financing to Designated Communities (urban centres), Indigenous communities, territorial communities, and rural and isolated communities across Canada in order to prevent and reduce homelessness. To truly reduce homelessness in the long run, there must be an adequate supply of safe, cheap, and appropriate housing. This involves ensuring that people who are homeless on a long-term or episodic basis are given priority and that systems are in place to allow them to access homes and assistance through Housing First initiatives.

We have made considerable progress in the fight against homelessness, but there is still much work to be done. In today’s convoluted world, solving complex issues requires complex solutions. Homelessness is one such complex issue, with causes and solutions that differ from person to person. No single cause of homelessness is to blame, and no single solution will eradicate it. Rather, a variety of approaches are needed, each tailored to the needs of the individual who is experiencing homelessness. We have come a long way in our fight against homelessness. We have learned a lot about the causes of homelessness, the best ways to tackle it, and the best ways to help those who are currently homeless. However, we still have a long way to go. There are still millions of people without a home and thousands more are becoming homeless every year.

Works Cited

1. Canada, Employment and Social Development. “Government of Canada.” Canada.ca, / Gouvernement Du Canada, 26 Nov. 2020, www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/homelessness/directives.html.

2. Canada, Employment and Social Development. “Government of Canada Launches Call for Innovative Concepts to Prevent and Eliminate Homelessness.” Cision Canada, 4 May 2021, www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-launches-call-for-innovative-concepts-to-prevent-and-eliminate-homelessness-853614062.html.

3. “What Needs to Be Done to End Homelessness?” What Needs to Be Done to End Homelessness? | The Homeless Hub, www.homelesshub.ca/about-homelessness/homelessness-101/what-needs-be-done-end-homelessness.

Researcher: Sumaya Osman (Researcher from Power to the Youth Toronto)

Editor: Pallavi Hooda (Editor lead from Power to the Youth Toronto)

Date published: April 5th 2022