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This study examined the characteristics of people who experienced housing instability and stability after 24 months of being enrolled in Housing First (HF). A companion study addresses the same objective using qualitative methods. A sequential logistic regression was conducted to determine predictors of unstable and stable housing at 24 months of enrollment in HF in a randomized trial. We applied the Gelberg-Andersen. Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations to identify and group predictor variables. Thirty-one percent of the HF participants (N = 302/977) met the study criteria for housing instability (i.e. stably housed for less than 90% of last six months). Residence in Winnipeg, longer accumulated lifetime homelessness, and higher levels of substance use predicted unstable housing. Residence in Toronto and Montreal, older age, being in an ethno-racial minority group (other than Indigenous), higher income, higher perceived housing quality, and having a family physician predicted stable housing. The findings of the study have implications for strengthening HF supports to better address the needs of HF participants who may be at risk of housing instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines facilitators and barriers to attain housing among adults who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) and who have experiences of homelessness. Twenty 2SLGBTQ+adults who were currently or formerly homeless participated in one qualitative interview. The interview protocol included questions on the participants' experiences with exiting homelessness and searching for housing. Data was analyzed using an iterative coding process. The results show that participants engaged in various paths to access housing, including goal setting related to one's gender identity and health, and accessing formal and informal supports. Barriers largely focused on discrimination from landlords, a lack of safety in one's housing or neighborhood, a lack of awareness of services, and challenges with accepting one's 2SLGBTQ+identity and related fear of unequal treatment from service providers. The results are discussed in terms of policy and programming strategies to support 2SLGBTQ+adults to attain permanent housing in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of queer student centres (QSCs) across Canadian universities and colleges is largely unknown. It is an important area of investigation since queer-identified students have previously identified several benefits of these services, including receiving support from other queer individuals. The focus of the current study was to determine (a) the number of QSCs in Canadian universities and colleges; (b) factors predicting their existence; (c) types of support they receive; and (d) future directions. A national online survey of 156 institutions and two in-person focus groups (n = 5; n = 2) were conducted. Descriptive analyses and a logistic regression were completed, and qualitative responses of the survey and the focus groups were thematically coded. Results demonstrate that universities and institutions with larger student populations are more likely to have a centre and that institutional support is crucial for their operations. Implications for the sustainability and creation of centres are discussed.

Using results from a formative evaluation, this article describes the transitional rehabilitation housing pilot (TRHP) program located in two metropolitan Canadian cities. TRHP is an innovative community mental health service, created to support hospitalized forensic patients in their transition to living independently in the community. The evaluation used a multimethod, multi-informant approach to describe TRHP services and assess their quality. Results suggest that TRHP is serving the intended population and generally being implemented as planned. Stakeholders identified numerous strengths and weaknesses of the program. Findings are discussed in the context of previous research and their implications for future program development. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)

Service providers working with people experiencing homelessness can be directly and indirectly exposed to trauma and other chronic stressors in their work. The types of individuals that are most at-risk of problematic outcomes from traumatic event exposure are unknown. This study examined exposure to and effects of workplace traumas and stressors among service providers working with people experiencing homelessness in Canada. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 701 direct service providers working in the homeless service, supportive housing, and harm reduction sectors. Descriptive statistics, hierarchical multiple regression, and double moderation models were used in the analysis. Employment in homeless service settings, service provision to single adults, and more time in direct contact with service users were each positively associated with the frequency of exposure to critical events and chronic stressors. Younger age, lived experience of behavioural health problems, more frequent exposure to chronic stressors, and less social support from coworkers were significantly correlated with post-traumatic stress and general psychological distress. Emotional support from supervision moderated the relationship between direct exposure to workplace critical events and post-traumatic stress. More trauma-informed psychosocial supports tailored to the needs of direct service providers working with people experiencing homelessness are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined the scope of common mental health problems and perceived impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among direct service providers working with people experiencing homelessness in Canada. Method: This cross-sectional study used an online survey that was disseminated to homeless service, supportive housing, and harm reduction organizations and networks. Data were collected on depression, anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress, compassion satisfaction and fatigue, and substance use problems as well as pandemic-related changes in mental health and wellness. A total of 701 service providers completed the survey and were included in data analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the primary research questions, with hierarchical multiple regression models also being fit to explore mental health and wellness differences by occupational service setting. Results: Most direct service providers (79.5%) working with people experiencing homelessness reported a decline in their mental health during the pandemic. There were high rates of common mental health problems within the sample that are largely consistent with those found among health-care workers during the pandemic. Occupational service settings were not associated with the severity of mental health problems, indicating pervasive issues across the workforce, though providers who were younger and spent more time in direct service roles were at greater risk. Conclusions: The common mental health problems and negative impacts of the pandemic among service providers working with people experiencing homelessness highlight a highly vulnerable workforce that could benefit from improved access to supports. Given the similarities between our findings and other studies examining essential workforces, it is recommended that initiatives that provide accessible mental health care to the health-care workforce during the pandemic be expanded to include homeless and social service providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the experiences of adults who identify as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) and who have accessed emergency shelters in an urban Canadian city. Twenty LGBTQ adults who were currently or formerly homeless participated in one qualitative interview. The interview protocol included questions on the participants' experiences accessing emergency shelters, with a focus on interactions with other emergency shelter residents. Data was analyzed using an iterative coding process. The results demonstrated that participants engage in various identity management strategies and encounter both positive and negative interactions with other emergency shelter residents. The results are discussed in terms of strategies to improve emergency shelter policies to be more inclusive of LGBTQ adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]