Housing and Specialized Populations
2016 Housing First Partners Conference
Design, Anonymity & Time: The challenges and successes associated with community-based housing research in the Greater Toronto Area Lina Termini & Tobin Haley
SHIP
1
SHIP - Peel Youth Village
SHIP
2
The Research and Reality
SHIP
According to Bridgman (2009), research about homeless youth in Canada is a relatively recent development when compared with Britain and the USA
We are working towards filling this gap
One way is through the research project SHIP is undertaking
The research effort is funded by the Region of Peel
3
Today we will
SHIP
Part 1
Present PYV
Part 2
Explain our research project
Part 3
The challenges and successes
4
5
Part One PEEL YOUTH VILLAGE – SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IN PEEL (SHIP)
About Supportive Housing In Peel (SHIP) What do we do?
SHIP
SHIP has championed the fundamental right of housing for nearly 30 years. As a respected health service and housing support provider, we advocate for Healthy Housing™ by forming lasting relationships with landlords and developers. We advocate for mental and physical health services through in-house service teams and partnerships with community-based agencies. SHIP is known for our record of identifying gaps in available service provision and directly addressing those needs. Many of our programs and service models have gained national attention within the health care field.
6
Some of our Programs
2 ACTT Teams
Transitional Support Housing Programs(AP/PYV/SSCSP)
RMST
High Support
Housing First
In-STED
Central Intake
Psychiatrist
Housing Stock
Tenant Relations / Alternative Dispute resolution
Youth Homelessness: Challenges
SHIP
Structural/Systemic
Isolation
Anger/ behavioral
Addiction
No sense of community belonging
Psychiatric
No or little rental history
Trauma, Victimization
Developmental
No or little work history, skills training
Legal
Discriminated against
Indebtedness
Loss of control
7
Multidisciplinary On-Site Support Services at PYV
SHIP
Addictions Specialist Early Intervention Specialist Justice Specialist Vocational Specialist Youth Specialist Trustee Recreational Therapist Intake and Housing Specialist On-Site OW Worker Personal Trainers Wellness Co-ordinator Social Purpose Enterprise
8
About Peel Youth Village (PYV)
Safe, stable, transitional housing and support services for youth, ages 16 to 30
Residential Services:
SHIP
Individualized & Client driven
No “housing ready” ideations
Stay of up to 364 days
Up to 48 youth occupy PYV with support from a multidisciplinary team of professionals
Services & Programs are strength based and focus on resilience
Support services available 24-7, 365 days a year
After-care services in scattered units across the Region
9
10 SHIP
Part Two RESEARCH QUESTION, METHODOLOGY AND METHOD
How the research came about and Why
SHIP
Research was identified as a key element in the RFP process
SHIP indicated to the funder that the operation of the program would include a research element aimed at identifying complex issues pertaining to residents and the community to further the collective understanding of impact, interventions and outcomes
After 1 year of operating the program a research question was identified
11
How the Research Came About...
A Champions Arrived SHIP
12
Research Question
SHIP
Keeping in mind the mandates of PYV and SHIP, how does an additional year of housing support (defined as a housing benefit of $400 per month) impact the quality of life and success for youth in the areas of employment, education, activities of daily living (ADLs), and social engagement as they transition to independent living?
13
Methodology
SHIP
Social Determinants of Health
Community-Engagement Framework
Community members
Residents and former residents
Staff
Research Team
14
Methods
SHIP
Community Workshops
Interviews
Documentary Research
15
16
Part Three CHALLENGES / SUCCESSES
Community Research Ethics Office
SHIP
What is it?
Why we decided to use it
What we learned
Maintaining Anonymity
Exit Strategy for Participants
17
Cultivating Community Input
SHIP
Overcoming structural barriers to participation
Addressing reluctance
Reporting Back
On-going challenges
18
Accommodating Resident Challenges
Non Attendance Order/Peace Bond
Aimee* and Andy* were both participants in the research
Accommodating Andy and his need to access the community center vs property restriction and mutual peace bond with Aimee. How to keep the researcher safe (location?)
Confidentiality
*Names changed for confidentiality
SHIP
19
Peel Youth Village
SHIP
20
Accommodating Resident Challenges
SHIP
Transportation for residents who moved away
Phone interviews vs in person
Researcher safety in the community and in the building
21
What needs to be done: Going Forward
SHIP
There is a need for a wider research project into the efficacy of strict time-limited transitional housing for youth in the GTA
It would be useful to do comparative research across youth transitional housing services/models to see which obstacles are present throughout the youth transitional housing system in the GTA
22
Going Forward
SHIP
Need to include attention to the specific experiences of newcomer youth, Indigenous youth and youth of colour, youth with disabilities, LGBTTTPQ youth and female youth
23
Early Recommendations
SHIP
A more individualized approach that offers more time to those who need it
While more time intensive and requiring more staff and programming resources and more housing space (which PYV does have the capacity for), the recommendations would further extend PYVs responsive, flexible, permanent and preventative housing-first style services
A pilot project extending these services to incoming residents for the next year would be an important next step
24
Q&A
SHIP
25
Design, Anonymity & Time: The challenges and successes associated with community-based housing research in the Greater Toronto Area Lina Termini & Tobin Haley
SHIP
1
SHIP - Peel Youth Village
SHIP
2
The Research and Reality
SHIP
According to Bridgman (2009), research about homeless youth in Canada is a relatively recent development when compared with Britain and the USA
We are working towards filling this gap
One way is through the research project SHIP is undertaking
The research effort is funded by the Region of Peel
3
Today we will
SHIP
Part 1
Present PYV
Part 2
Explain our research project
Part 3
The challenges and successes
4
5
Part One PEEL YOUTH VILLAGE – SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IN PEEL (SHIP)
About Supportive Housing In Peel (SHIP) What do we do?
SHIP
SHIP has championed the fundamental right of housing for nearly 30 years. As a respected health service and housing support provider, we advocate for Healthy Housing™ by forming lasting relationships with landlords and developers. We advocate for mental and physical health services through in-house service teams and partnerships with community-based agencies. SHIP is known for our record of identifying gaps in available service provision and directly addressing those needs. Many of our programs and service models have gained national attention within the health care field.
6
Some of our Programs
2 ACTT Teams
Transitional Support Housing Programs(AP/PYV/SSCSP)
RMST
High Support
Housing First
In-STED
Central Intake
Psychiatrist
Housing Stock
Tenant Relations / Alternative Dispute resolution
Youth Homelessness: Challenges
SHIP
Structural/Systemic
Isolation
Anger/ behavioral
Addiction
No sense of community belonging
Psychiatric
No or little rental history
Trauma, Victimization
Developmental
No or little work history, skills training
Legal
Discriminated against
Indebtedness
Loss of control
7
Multidisciplinary On-Site Support Services at PYV
SHIP
Addictions Specialist Early Intervention Specialist Justice Specialist Vocational Specialist Youth Specialist Trustee Recreational Therapist Intake and Housing Specialist On-Site OW Worker Personal Trainers Wellness Co-ordinator Social Purpose Enterprise
8
About Peel Youth Village (PYV)
Safe, stable, transitional housing and support services for youth, ages 16 to 30
Residential Services:
SHIP
Individualized & Client driven
No “housing ready” ideations
Stay of up to 364 days
Up to 48 youth occupy PYV with support from a multidisciplinary team of professionals
Services & Programs are strength based and focus on resilience
Support services available 24-7, 365 days a year
After-care services in scattered units across the Region
9
10 SHIP
Part Two RESEARCH QUESTION, METHODOLOGY AND METHOD
How the research came about and Why
SHIP
Research was identified as a key element in the RFP process
SHIP indicated to the funder that the operation of the program would include a research element aimed at identifying complex issues pertaining to residents and the community to further the collective understanding of impact, interventions and outcomes
After 1 year of operating the program a research question was identified
11
How the Research Came About...
A Champions Arrived SHIP
12
Research Question
SHIP
Keeping in mind the mandates of PYV and SHIP, how does an additional year of housing support (defined as a housing benefit of $400 per month) impact the quality of life and success for youth in the areas of employment, education, activities of daily living (ADLs), and social engagement as they transition to independent living?
13
Methodology
SHIP
Social Determinants of Health
Community-Engagement Framework
Community members
Residents and former residents
Staff
Research Team
14
Methods
SHIP
Community Workshops
Interviews
Documentary Research
15
16
Part Three CHALLENGES / SUCCESSES
Community Research Ethics Office
SHIP
What is it?
Why we decided to use it
What we learned
Maintaining Anonymity
Exit Strategy for Participants
17
Cultivating Community Input
SHIP
Overcoming structural barriers to participation
Addressing reluctance
Reporting Back
On-going challenges
18
Accommodating Resident Challenges
Non Attendance Order/Peace Bond
Aimee* and Andy* were both participants in the research
Accommodating Andy and his need to access the community center vs property restriction and mutual peace bond with Aimee. How to keep the researcher safe (location?)
Confidentiality
*Names changed for confidentiality
SHIP
19
Peel Youth Village
SHIP
20
Accommodating Resident Challenges
SHIP
Transportation for residents who moved away
Phone interviews vs in person
Researcher safety in the community and in the building
21
What needs to be done: Going Forward
SHIP
There is a need for a wider research project into the efficacy of strict time-limited transitional housing for youth in the GTA
It would be useful to do comparative research across youth transitional housing services/models to see which obstacles are present throughout the youth transitional housing system in the GTA
22
Going Forward
SHIP
Need to include attention to the specific experiences of newcomer youth, Indigenous youth and youth of colour, youth with disabilities, LGBTTTPQ youth and female youth
23
Early Recommendations
SHIP
A more individualized approach that offers more time to those who need it
While more time intensive and requiring more staff and programming resources and more housing space (which PYV does have the capacity for), the recommendations would further extend PYVs responsive, flexible, permanent and preventative housing-first style services
A pilot project extending these services to incoming residents for the next year would be an important next step
24
Q&A
SHIP
25
