This week’s infographic Wednesday is original content from the Homeless Hub’s recent report A Safe and Decent Place to Live: Towards a Housing First Framework for Youth. This report was the result of collaboration between the Homeless Hub, the National Learning Community on Youth Homelessness and the Street Youth Planning Collaborative.
Rather than just asking whether Housing First works for youth (we know it does) the report examined how to adapt the core principles of Housing First to fit youth-centered programs.
This infographic demonstrates that HF is about more than simply housing youth. Good programs will ensure that youth also have access to various forms of support that are complimentary and meaningful and address the following needs:
This report makes the argument for client choice in housing programs. This means adapting the philosophy and core values of Housing First to all housing interventions for youth experiencing homelessness.
Youth should be able to decide on the level and format of housing support that works for them. It isn’t fair to expect all youth the fit into the same format of programming. Some of the options include:
- Family reconnect programs
- Permanent supportive housing
- Transitional housing
- Independent living
This report is part of an emerging conversation about the application of Housing First to youth programs. It is important that programs for youth experiencing homelessness confront the unique barriers and opportunities that youth have. These differences have to do with pathways into homelessness, but also take into account psychological, social and physical stages of adolescent development.
Programming for youth experiencing homelessness shouldn’t end when youth are off the streets or ‘independent’. Instead, the goal should be to help provide access to the supports necessary for youth to transition into adulthood.
