Deciphering linkages: contextualizing youth homelessness and youth justice involvement

1. Deciphering linkages: contextualizing youth homelessness and youth justice involvement Dr. Erin Dej Assistant Professor, Department of Criminology Wilfrid Laurier University NYJN Meeting | September 23, 2019

2. Key messages • Homelessness is a socially created phenomenon and our response to homelessness needs to reflect this • There are structural and systemic drivers of youth homelessness that result in unnecessary and traumatic experiences for young people • Many of these same drivers also lead to youth involvement with the criminal justice system • Breaking down silos and forging connections between sectors is key to the prevention and ending of youth homelessness

3. The state of homelessness in canada

4. Definition of homelessness • Unsheltered • Emergency sheltered • Provisionally accommodated • At risk of homelessness Homelessness describes the situation of an individual, family or community without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it. It is the result of systemic or societal barriers, a lack of affordable and appropriate housing, the individual/household’s financial, mental, cognitive, behavioural or physical challenges, and/or racism and discrimination. Most people do not choose to be homeless, and the experience is generally negative, unpleasant, unhealthy, unsafe, stressful and distressing.

5. 12 Dimensions of indigenous homelessness Historic displacement homelessness Contemporary geographic separation homelessness Spiritual disconnection homelessness Mental disruption and imbalance homelessness Cultural disintegration and loss homelessness Overcrowding homelessness Relocation and mobility homelessness Going home homelessness Nowhere to go homelessness Escaping or evading harm homelessness Emergency crisis homelessness Climatic refugee homelessness Thistle, 2017

6. Homelessness in canada 235,000 Canadians homeless every year 30,000 A night 5,000 On the street 1.5 million Canadians in core housing need

7. Shelter use 20,000 4.5 days 14,000People use a shelter each night Annual decrease in shelter use Increased length of stay Segaert, 2016

8. How did we get here?

9. Where are we going? Remove 530,000 from core housing need Cut chronic homelessness by 50% 100,000 new housing units Repair 300,000 units Protect 385,000 households Canada Housing Benefit to support 300,000 households

10. Youth homelessness in canada

11. Definition of youth homelessness • The situation and experience of young people between the ages of 13 and 24 who are living independently of parents and/or caregivers, but do not have the means or ability to acquire a stable, safe or consistent residence. • Youth homelessness is a complex social issue because as a society we have failed to provide young people and their families with the necessary and adequate supports that will enable them to move forward with their lives in a safe and planned way. In addition to experiencing economic deprivation and a lack of secure housing, many young people who are homeless lack the personal experience of living independently and at the same time may be in the throes of significant developmental (social, physical, emotional and cognitive) changes. As a result, they may not have the resources, resilience, education, social supports or life skills necessary to foster a safe and nurturing transition to adulthood and independence. Few young people choose to be homeless, nor wish to be defined by their homelessness, and the experience is generally negative and stressful. • Youth homelessness is the denial of basic human rights and once identified as such, it must be remedied. All young people have the right to the essentials of life, including adequate housing, food, safety, education and justice.

12. Youth homelessness 35,000Youth experience homelessness each year 30% Indigenous 30% LGBTQ2S+ 40% Experienced homelessness before age 16 Gaetz et al., 2016

13. Causes of youth homelessness

14. solutions

15. Housing first for youth • No preconditions • Youth choice • Positive development • Individualized • Social inclusion

16. Youth homelessness prevention • Redefining how systems work • Expanding the mandate, resources, tools • Harmonization across systems

17. Drilling down on youth homelessness

18. Youth and child protection “As a kid, when you tell a social worker, say you’re fifteen years old and you tell your social worker, ‘I’m not getting fed,’ and your social worker doesn’t believe you, because they think that the foster home that you’re in is providing you with necessities. You keep telling them that and they still don’t believe you, because you’re 15 years old – ‘you don’t know better, you’re a kid.’ So, I think social services needs to listen to the kids that are actually in need of help… If my social worker actually listened to the concerns I had about being abused and being neglected, then I wouldn’t have had the things that I grew up with.” Calgary Youth 58% Involvement with child protection 47% In foster care 65% Indigenous youth in foster care 42% Housed youth who live with parents 70% Housed youth who receive financial support from parents Schwan et al., 2017

19. Youth and poverty • Intergenerational poverty • Interdependency between housing – education - employment

20. Youth homelessness and the criminal justice system “We may say that the prisons are ghettos with walls, while ghettos are prisons without walls” (Bauman, 2001: 121)

21. Bi-directional relationship

22. Youth Homelessness and criminal justice

23. “It’s hard living cheque to cheque. Whether I work or I’m on welfare, I’m still living cheque to cheque with no money until I get the next one. I sell drugs and steal when I have to but that doesn’t mean I’m proud to destroy someone’s life or someone’s business.” Young man, 23 Factors leading to youth justice involvement Poverty-driven income generation Inequitable criminal justice system Criminalization of homelessness Gaetz et al., 2016

24. Police contact Young people who are homeless Housed youth 78% Contact with police 46% Searched 44% Arrested 18 % Searched 11% Arrested 72% of those convicted spent time in custody

25. Criminal activity Characteristics of youth involved in crime Types of crime • Not completed high school • Spent overnight in public • Used substances • Deeply entrenched in street life • Ticketing (i.e., jaywalking) • Public consumption of alcohol • Shoplifting food & clothes • Minor assault

26. Safe streets act, ontario • 31,000 tickets • $1.5 million in fines • 0.03% fines recovered • 95% Conviction rate Mathieu, 2019

27. Racialized experiences • Racialized and Indigenous youth who are homeless feel targeted • Disproportionate ‘carding’ rates for racialized youth

28. solutions Use less force Treat us equally Respect our rights Be accountable

29. criminal justice and youth homelessness

30. Systems barriers • Effect of criminal record • Bail conditions • Lack of legal support • Develop into chronic homelessness

31. Discharging into homelessness • Little known about youth discharge from custody to homelessness • Key vulnerability point • Discharge planning policies/regulations as driver into homelessness

32. victimization Youth experiencing homelessness Housed youth 68% Victim of crime 58% Victim of violent crime 19% Victim of crime 8% Victim of violent crime Greatest risk of victimization • Women • Indigenous youth • LGBTQ2S+ youth • Youth ages 16-17

33. solutions

34. Recommendations by youth • End child abuse • End violence against young people who are poor or homeless • End the criminalization of Indigenous peoples and young people of colour

35. Homeless bill of rights

36. Thank you Email: edej@wlu.ca Twitter: ErinDej