Demonstration Lab

Through the Making the Shift Demonstration Lab (MtS DEMS), more than 2,800 young people and their nearly 400 family members and natural supports accessed stable housing, mediation, and health supports, showing significant improvements in housing stability, well-being and family relationships.

About MtS DEMS

MtS DEMS’ community-based projects were focused on prototyping, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based program models that have been demonstrated to be beneficial and effective in other jurisdictions.

Program Models

Family and Natural Supports (FNS) strengthen youth’s relationships with family and other meaningful adults in their lives. FNS should form the foundation for all interventions,  program models and youth services to prevent youth homelessness.

  • Research on FNS programs in 10 Canadian communities showed that initially, 24.6% of youth slept away from home in the past 30 days due to being kicked out, running away, or abandonment. When youth were connected with FNS case workers, after six months, this decreased to 12.2%.*

*Based on the forthcoming paper from the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, Family and Natural Supports Program: Cross-Site Outcomes Evaluation Findings 

Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) provides youth with immediate, safe housing along with age-appropriate supports for health, education, employment, and social inclusion that is not time limited. 

  • Research on HF4Y programs in Toronto and Ottawa found that, after 24 months, 96% of participants in HF4Y programs were stably housed, compared with only 74% of those in existing community services.*
  • Endaayaang, an Indigenous-led HF4Y program, creates opportunities for Indigenous youth to reconnect with their identity and culture.

*Based on the forthcoming paper from the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, The 24-Month Results of the Housing First for Youth Study: A Community Interim Report.

Upstream Canada identifies and supports students who are at risk of disengaging from school.

  • Research on Upstream Kelowna found that 14% of students were identified as at-risk and accessed support services, preventing disengagement. From 2021 to 2024, 328 students used Upstream supports, diverting them from emergency services.

Reconnect is a school-based program for youth at risk of homelessness, aiming to keep them connected to family, community, culture, and school to strengthen support systems and prevent homelessness. 

Research in three Canadian communities found that 90% of youth in Reconnect overcame challenges that previously hindered their school success.

The research produced through MtS DEMS will be used to enhance the existing program models and inform the development of tools and resources to improve the effectiveness of these initiatives.