Homelessness in youth is on the rise in the nation’s capital
Posted Jun 28, 2023 02:06:37 PM.
Ottawa is facing an alarming increase in youth experiencing homelessness and a local organization is calling for more support from governments.
According to Alliance to End Homelessness, an estimated 20 per cent of those experiencing homelessness are youth.
Executive director of Alliance to End Homelessness, Kaite Burkholder Harris, told The Sam Laprade Show on June 27, that a major contributing factor is youth exiting the child welfare system.
Burkholder Harris explained youth in the foster care system must leave youth housing when they turn 18 and added, this sharp transition is related to a lack of funding in the system.
Research that dates back to 2015 showed it took around two weeks after exiting child welfare before some youth were integrated into the shelter system, she said – adding they expect this has become an even shorter window.
“That transition is youth falling into homelessness,” she said. “When they’re vulnerable and in distress, we know they may use opioids and not having the stability of housing is a major contributor to that.”
This comes as there is a sharp rise in opioid-related deaths among teens and young adults across Ontario, a new report shows.
The organization is calling for more funding for youth programs that provide immediate supports – including mental health counselling and stable housing.
Ottawa is lacking long-term programs for youth and there are extensive wait lists for additional supports. This means young people aren’t receiving the help they need, she explained
“The key part is that we’re addressing the right problem, and it’s not focusing on individual failings but on the system that isn’t enabling youth to recover and have hope,” said Burkholder Harris.
Listen to the full interview below:
