Youth Homelessness
Homelessness continues to be an unacceptable reality in many Canadian communities, and youth are one of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population. It is estimated that 65,000 young people experience homelessness at some time during a year. Homeless youth are a diverse group, with some groups more likely to experience homelessness, such as Aboriginal and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer (LGBTQ) young people. 40 to 45 per cent of homeless youth in Canada have been involved in the foster care system.
There are systems that, without proactive, linked interventions, are likely to exit young people into homelessness. These include the child welfare, mental health, addictions, juvenile corrections systems and others. Specific responses for young people who are homeless are essential because the causes and conditions of homelessness for youth are often distinct from those that define adult homelessness.
CHRA believes that ending youth homelessness must be a national priority. To this end, CHRA recommends that the federal government, in partnership with provinces, territories, municipalities, youth agencies and youth themselves, should develop a national strategy to end youth homelessness. This strategy should complement a long-term national housing and homelessness strategy that CHRA continues to urge the federal government to develop. CHRA’s Policy Statement on Ending Youth Homelessness outlines specific principles and actions that should be part of this strategy.
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