Best Practices
Housing First programs aims to support those experiencing homelessness. This program is a best practice model that is based on a systematic review that showed societal cost savings of $1.44 for every $1 invested.
As shared in the article below, Housing First programs help to promote health equity for people who are experiencing homelessness and have a disabling condition.
Evidence shows Housing First programs decrease homelessness, increase housing stability, and improve quality of life for persons who are experiencing homelessness and living with a disabling condition, including HIV infection.
Why is this important?
More than 235,000 people in Canada experience homelessness in any given year, and 25,000 to 35,000 people may be experiencing homelessness on any given night (Stats Can, 2021). These numbers don’t take into account those who have moved back with family members or parents, or who are couch surfing.
As Invisible People states, “since the 1980’s, the annual national investment in affordable housing in Canada has decreased along with pension and social service benefit levels. Canada has also experienced an increasing population and declining wages—minimum wage has not kept up with inflation. As a result, Canadian homelessness has increased, and many more are at-risk of becoming homeless” (Invisible People).
