Impactful Research on Homelessness: Past, Present, and Future

1. Research Matters! The impact of research on solutions to homelessness past, present and future.  • Stephen Gaetz • Canadian Observatory on Homelessness • Professor, Faculty of Education, • York University, Toronto, Canada Research Symposium April22-23, 2015

2. Part 1 Does homelessness research MATTER?

4. Uses of Research • Conceptual • Instrumental • Symbolic

5. Part 2 Homelessness Research: The PAST

6. United States Martha Burt Sam Tsemberis Dennis Culhane

7. Australia Guy Johnson David MacKenzie Chris Chamberlain

8. Australia • Policy – based research • Program evaluation • Homeless definitions • Activist research • Linking housing research to Homelessness research

9. Europe Eoin O’Sullivan Suzanne Fitzpatrick Volker Busch-Geertsema

10. Europe • Pan-European comparative research • Policy-focused work • ETHOS definition of homelessness • Nurturing research / practice collaboration

11. Canada • Historically, much slower to embrace the role of research • David Hulchanski – key homelessness researcher • Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness report – 2000 • First homelessness research conference – York University 2005 • Canadian Homelessness Research Network, 2007 -

12. Part 3 Homelessness Research: The PRESENT

13. Recognized the importance of data: • - HMIS • - Performance Management • - PiT counts • Research became a priority to inform policy and practice

14. Active research agenda • Researchers on staff • Research Symposium • Engaging the research community

15. Providing strong evidence-base for Housing First, now considered a “Best Practice” • Rich research output – over 80 peer reviewed articles • Strong influence on public policy • Provides a strong knowledge base for policy and practice

16. Homelessness Partnering Strategy • Supporting a Coordinated Point in Time Homelessness Count • Stronger approach to HIFIS • Support for targeted research • Focus on Housing First as a priority

17. Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (formerly the Canadian Homelessness Research Network)

19. 1 Exploring effective ‘systems’ responses to homelessness Research Priority 2 Understanding and Facilitating the Implementation of Effective Models of Housing and Support Research Priority 3 Addressing Aboriginal Homelessness in Canada Research Priority 4 A Framework for Homelessness Prevention A Framework for Homelessness Prevention Research Priority

20. Identifying Effective Responses to Youth Homelessness 5 Research Priority 6 Research Priority Legal and Justice Issues 7 Measuring progress to End Homelessness Research Priority 8 A Framework for Homelessness Prevention Advancing Knowledge mobilization and Research Impact strategies Research Priority

21. Part 4 Homelessness Research: The FUTURE

22. 1. Engage iternationally

23. 2. Deeper understanding of homelessness PREVENTION Housing and Supports Emergency Response Prevention

24. 3. Research on Affordable Housing

26. Better understand • sub-populations

27. 5. Research on Aboriginal homelessness • Inclusionary research framework - Need to engage Aboriginal people and communities in this work • Audit of Aboriginal on reserve housing • Transitions to urban centres • Effective policy, practice and models of engagement

28. Aboriginal Homelessness in Canada Belanger, et al. 2012

29. Population Profile based on Age Aboriginal vs. Aboriginal in Canada

30. 6. Build community capacity to understand, engage in and utilize research • More effective use of data management tools • Better assessment • Evaluation research • Linking research to planning

31. Questions or comments?