Comprehensive Report on Child & Family Homelessness in Canada Released Today

3.1 million Canadian households live in unaffordable housing; 1 in 7 shelter users is a child

TORONTO, Feb. 15, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, Raising the Roof released a comprehensive report on child and family homelessness in Canada. The report, titled Putting an End to Child & Family Homelessness in Canada, is the cumulative result of three years of research into this unique demographic of the homeless population, including 139 interviews with community agency staff and families who have accessed services from across the country.

"Three years ago, we decided to embark on a national initiative aimed at addressing the gaps in support we identified for families experiencing homelessness. We are pleased to share our findings and recommendations in the hope that we can make child and family homelessness in this country a thing of the past," said Carolann Barr, Executive Director of Raising the Roof.

The report focuses on three key areas for addressing child and family homelessness: Primary Prevention, Systems-Based Response, and Early Intervention. It points to the challenges currently facing Canadian families, including a lack of affordable housing, child care, income support, as well as underlying factors such as discrimination, poverty, and food insecurity. Most importantly, it discusses the unique needs of children and families that are often at odds with a 'one-size-fits-all' approach.

The report offers a detailed list of recommendations targeted at all levels of government, as well as community agencies. This includes:

• Developing and supporting a National Coordinated Response and Action on Children's Mental Health
• Developing and funding a National Housing Strategy
• Developing and funding a National Poverty Reduction Strategy
• The implementation of a National Housing Benefit
• Implementing a "One Child, One Case" policy for government services
• Developing province/territory-wide Plans to End Homelessness
• Developing a 'System of Care' in local communities

The full report, as well as supplemental materials including a report on Children's Mental Health, can be found here.

Raising the Roof and the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness will also be hosting a webinar titled 'Child & Family Homelessness in Canada' on February 16^th. Click here for more details or to RSVP.

The Child & Family Homelessness Initiative and Putting an End to Child & Family Homelessness in Canada would not have been possible without the incredible support of our two Lead Partners:

• RBC Foundation
• Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario

About Raising the Roof

Raising the Roof provides national leadership on long-term solutions to homelessness through partnership and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, investment in local communities, and public education.

For more information, visit: www.raisingtheroof.org

SOURCE Raising the Roof

MEDIA CONTACT: Caitlin Boros, Marketing and Communications Manager, Raising the Roof, O: [phone] ext. 205 M: [phone], [email protected]