Photo: Site Coordinator Faye More and People With Lived Experience
Caucus member Alex Zager co-host the Toronto update event.
As of November, 2011 – over 240 people now have homes.
The Toronto research project is focusing on providing services to people from diverse ethno-cultural backgrounds.
About Toronto
With a population of 2.7 million people Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the fifth largest city in North America. Toronto is known as one of the world’s most multicultural places. Half of the city’s population was born outside of Canada and 47% of its residents describe themselves as being a part of a visible minority.
Homelessness in Toronto
On any given night in Toronto there are between 5,000-6,500 homeless people. The 2003 City of Toronto Report Card on Housing and Homelessness found that 32,000 people use Toronto shelters every year. One out of every three homeless individuals in Toronto is an immigrant and 10% of homeless people in Toronto are recent immigrants meaning they have lived in Canada for less than ten years.
At Home/Chez Soi Project, Toronto
Responding to the issues of mental illness and homelessness is a particularly complex challenge in a city as large and as diverse as Toronto. The At Home/Chez Soi project in this city will take these challenges into account in the research process. The local study has some unique features:
It builds on existing “housing first” services in Toronto
In 2005 the City of Toronto introduced a ground-breaking program for homeless people called “Streets to Homes.”. The program takes a “housing first” approach which entails providing people with a place to live, then helping them with other issues. The At Home/Chez Soi project reflects many aspects of the model and will provide housing and care for homeless people who have moderate to high mental health care needs.
It is evaluating an “anti-oppression” approach to address the needs of “racialized” people
Between 30%-40% of homeless people in Toronto come from ethno-racial backgrounds. Racism, discrimination and stigma are barriers that can make their health and economic problems worse. The Toronto study will evaluate an anti-oppression service model for people including recent immigrants and those who face additional barriers to recovery. This approach is based on a commitment to social justice. It recognizes the impacts of racism and inequality on mental health and is designed to empower people on their journey to healing. The approach uses integrated mental, physical social, economic cultural, spiritual and linguistic supports. This type of program is currently being provided by “Across Boundaries-An Ethnoracial Mental Health Centre.”
It involves a caucus for people with lived experience in mental illness and/or homelessness
A consumer caucus was established in June 2009 to ensure a strong voice and role for people with lived experience in all aspects of the project including governance service delivery research and communications. The caucus helps identify people with lived experience who can participate as workers in service delivery and research and also advocates on behalf of people with lived experience. The caucus is supported by a local community agency in Toronto and meets regularly to review project activities and to address issues of concern to consumers.
It builds partnerships
At Home/Chez Soi is partnering with referral agencies to identify possible participants. This approach makes it possible to make the best decisions about a person’s mental health needs.
Partners directly involved in research
Across Boundaries:
Center for Research on Inner City Health – St Michael’s Hospital
City of Toronto Shelter Support and Housing Administration
COTA Health
Toronto North Support Services