A London based program has announced two projects aimed at preventing homelessness following hospital stays.
The plans were announced during a virtual event Wednesday hosted by Lawson Health Research Institute and the City of London. Both projects are being tested as part of the pre-existing No Fixed Address (NFA) strategy that works to stop the cycle of homelessness by providing timely and accessible supports to patients who would otherwise be discharged with nowhere to go.
"Canada lacks a validated and coordinated service model to address the issue of hospital stay to no fixed address, which can often be the beginning of an individual’s experience with homelessness," said Dr. Cheryl Forchuk of Lawson Health Research.
According to Forchuk, NFA was initially tested with strong success among mental health patients across the city and the second version of the strategy was extended to medical units at the London Health Sciences Centre's University and Victoria Hospitals.
The first project, aimed at addressing homelessness, health, and housing income will research London's coordinated access outreach program and hospital sites.
An outreach worker will support those at risk of homelessness to maintain or obtain housing. Ontario Works will assist with supplying income and employment supports, and the Salvation Army Housing Stability Bank may also be utilized for additional resources.
Results will be tracked over the next two years. Participants will be interviewed while in hospital and again six months post-discharge.
The second study will implement a customized strategy for at risk youth ages 16-24. Their housing needs will be explored by streamlining housing and financial support into a system with assistance provided by Youth Opportunities Unlimited and the Children's Aid Society of London and Middlesex.
During the course of 3-4 years, data will be collected from the youth at three different times.
In both studies, focus groups of participants, health care providers, and community partners will provide further insight into the project's effectiveness.
Both projects are being separately funded by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Making the Shift Inc. Youth Social Innovation Lab.