Perspectives From Canada: Ending Youth Homelessness Bruce Pearce President, Canadian Housing and Renewal Association International Models for Ending Youth Homelessness National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference July 15, 2011 Washington, D.C.
Perspectives From Canada:Ending Youth Homelessness
Bruce PearcePresident, Canadian Housing and Renewal Association
International Models for Ending Youth HomelessnessNational Alliance to End Homelessness Conference
July 15, 2011Washington, D.C.
CHRA … a voice for the full range ofaffordable housing and homelessness
issues and solutions in Canada
• Canada’s recession not as severe as US’s, but…
• Poverty, social exclusion & lack of a long-term national housing strategy hamper efforts to end homelessness.
• Homeless & at-risk youth face persistent barriers to full participation in Canadian society (during boomtime or recession).
• 34.3 million Canadians (2011)– 12.4 million households
• 1.5 million households in ‘core housing need’ according to 2006 census (13% of all households)
• 150,000-300,000 visible homeless Canadians (2005); many more hidden homeless– 65,000 homeless youth; many more at-risk
• $135M/yr Homelessness Partnering Strategy– No national youth strategy; youth often a local
priority (HPS $ flows through 61 community plans)
Trains & employs Aboriginal youth in sustainable, family-supporting work.Prevents homelessness. Reduces poverty in the community.
Train for Trades is now a similar social enterprise.
The road ahead:• Frame a national policy to
end youth homelessness.• Put it into action,
together. • Consolidate a national
network of communities.• Continue international
alliance-building