New! Research Projects Funded by Making the Shift to Prevent and End Youth Homelessness
We are delighted to announce we have funded nine new research projects from the MtS 2022 Open Call for Proposals. The successful proposals each responded to evidence gaps we identified in the policy and service enhancements that are needed to prevent youth homelessness. $1.3 million has been invested total in the nine projects, bringing our total funded projects up to 39 and our investment in research up to $8.3 million.
From youth focused harm reduction to evictions prevention, we eagerly anticipate the contributions of the nine new projects to prevent and end youth homelessness in Canada.
This round concludes the last open call for research proposals from MtS.
Read about our new funded projects below and learn about our full project listing at makingtheshiftinc.ca/projects.
1) Pathways Interrupted: 2SLGBTQ+ youth leading responses to hidden homelessness in Ontario, Canada
Dr. Alex Abramovich, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, ON
This project aims to examine upstream services and how they impact the pathways of 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing hidden homelessness. The project will use a participatory visual method featuring short videos with mobile technology created by participants. This multi-site study is in Toronto and York Region.
2) Building a Human Rights and Youth-Centred Approach to Eviction Law and Practice
Prof. Sarah Buhler, University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK
This project aims to provide insight on evictions prevention through a human rights and youth-centered approach. The project seeks to determine the justice-based needs of youth, provide information for decision–makers on the human rights implications of evictions, and assess the recommendations needed for legislative reform regarding evictions.
3) Pursuing Justice: Bilateral Interactions Among the Criminal Justice and Housing Sectors for Preventing Youth Homelessness
Dr. Erin Dej
Waterloo, ON
This project aims to gather insights on the experiences of youth across Canada (BC, Prairies, Ontario, Maritimes), considering intersections between the justice system and homelessness. The project also aims to illuminate gaps in the services needed for this demographic.
4) Sharing Our Stories: Pathways into and out of homelessness for Métis Nation Youth Living In Ontario
Dr. Sarah Edwards
Toronto, ON
This project aims to address the knowledge gap around pathways of Métis youth who experience homelessness in Ontario. The project will also map interventions available to Métis youth, which aims to support program planning and service delivery.
5) Youth Leaving Care – From State Care into Homelessness: Prevention and Early Intervention
Dr. Barbara Fallon & Elena Lifshits Carrera
Toronto, ON
This project seeks to uncover pathways that lead Indigenous youth out of care and into states of homelessness. The researchers will map Indigenous youths’ experiences of services to illuminate service gaps. The project will also review the roles of identity, Indigeneity and relationships in nurturing youth who are transitioning out of care systems.
6) Between homelessness and care (and back again): Navigating complex institutional trajectories among young people who use drugs in Greater Vancouver
Dr. Danya Fast
Vancouver, BC
The study seeks to provide information on young people who use drugs and their unique experiences with services, as well as in attaining housing. This is a longitudinal qualitative study, using interviews and ethnographic methods.
7) Identifying pathways, key turning points and potential points of intervention into youth homelessness for pregnant youth and young mothers
Prof. Christine Stich
Montreal, QC
This project aims to investigate pathways into and out of homelessness for pregnant youth and young mothers in Montreal. The project uses in-depth interviews and focus groups. The project will map pathways, key turning points and identify helpful interventions.
8) Transitioning Youth Out of Homelessness 2.0: A Pilot Randomized Rent Subsidy and Identity Capital Intervention for Youth Exiting Homelessness
Dr. Naomi Thulien
Toronto, ON
This project seeks to determine the effectiveness of a portable rent subsidy for youth who experience homelessness, as an approach to sustain exits from homelessness. Half of the participants will have access to a co-designed leadership program and a dedicated life coach. The intervention will be evaluated through focus groups and a validated survey. The study engages youth from Toronto, Hamilton, and St. Catharine’s.
9) Art as Knowledge Mobilization: Amplifying Youth Voices to Inform Harm Reduction Practice for Preventing Youth Homelessness
Dr. Ciann L. Wilson
Waterloo, ON
This project seeks to determine how youth serving organizations in Winnipeg, Manitoba utilize a youth-focused harm reduction framework. The project will conduct a collaborative, community-based art project through a workshop series to share the voices of youth.
