Youth in Calgary’s Housing Programs: A Case Study

This study examines the effectiveness of Calgary’s youth housing programs between 2012 and 2018. Using anonymized data from 644 participants aged 15 to 24, the research highlights the unique challenges faced by homeless youth, such as limited independent living experience, higher rates of involvement with child welfare, and elevated risks of trauma, addiction, and mental health issues. Notably, nearly one-third of the youth in the study identified as Indigenous. Despite these complexities, Calgary’s programs achieved encouraging outcomes: 61 per cent of youth remained housed after program participation, with short-term success rates as high as 80 per cent.

The research shows that Calgary’s housing programs were effective even though they enrolled high-acuity youth with significant health, addiction, and justice system interactions. By offering housing without preconditions, these programs produced results comparable to controlled trials in other jurisdictions, such as At Home/Chez Soi. While the findings are specific to Calgary, they provide valuable lessons for policymakers: programs that emphasize stability and support, even for high-need populations, can achieve strong long-term outcomes and help reduce pressure on other parts of the social safety net.