About the Issue There is an estimated range of 150,000 to 300,000 homeless people across Canada, and many of these people live with a mental illness. It is a social crisis and we need to find ways to solve it across the country.
One promising way of ending homelessness and helping people get back into community life is called The Housing First approach. This approach has produced positive results in other cities where it has been implemented. The idea is that once a person is given a place to live, he/she can then better concentrate on other personal issues.
What the MHCC is doing
In February 2008, the Federal government allocated $110 million to the Mental Health Commission of Canada to find ways to help the growing number of homeless people who live with a mental illness. The MHCC developed the At Home/Chez Soi project. It was officially launched in November of 2009.
Program founders based the research demonstration project on the Housing First approach. The project specifically involves people who have been homeless and living with a mental health issue.
The Housing First approach in this case means providing people with housing, along with support services tailored to meet their needs. Projects are underway in Moncton, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver, and each site is exploring issues related to various sub-populations.
Over 2000 homeless people are participating across the country. Approximately half of them are receiving housing and support services and approximately half have access to the regular supports and services available in their communities. The project is providing meaningful and practical support for hundreds of vulnerable people.
What we learn in these five cities will help inform related planning and policy development across the country. Data from this kind of extensive research does not currently exist in Canada. The research projects will end in 2013, and will collectively develop a body of evidence to help Canada become a world leader in providing services to homeless people living with a mental illness.
As of November, 2011 - over 1030 people now have homes.
The MHCC project is unique and the largest of its kind underway in the world right now.
Get involved
We invite you to find out more about this project, and the issue of homelessness and mental illness in Canada. You can:
Find out more about what is happening in each city and the target populations and issues:
- Moncton: People in a rapidly growing city with a shortage of mental health services, with a focus on the rural population.
- Montreal: Outcomes for people related to vocational interventions.
- Toronto: People from different ethno-racial backgrounds.
- Winnipeg: Urban Aboriginal people.
- Vancouver: People who also have substance use issues.
Read Early Findings Reports on the At Home/Chez Soi project
Read about a related MHCC project on housing, called Turning the Key.