HOMELESSNESS
In recent years, there has been extensive research in the area of youth homelessness both in Canada and internationally. We have seen a great deal of initiatives towards the movement to end youth homelessness. However, there is a lack of knowledge into the problem of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, questioning, and 2-spirited (LGBTQ2S) youth homelessness in Canada.
What we do know is that LGBTQ2S youth are overrepresented in youth homelessness; it has been estimated that approximately 25-40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ2S. However, this statistic came from one Canadian study, 14 years ago, and there is not much clarity or understanding what this number looks like today or how to begin scaling the problem of LGBTQ2S youth homelessness on a national level, when services do not collect data on youths’ gender or sexual identities.
We also know that LGBTQ2 youth are at a higher risk of homelessness due to homophobia and transphobia in the home and they often face the same discrimination in the shelter system. Queer and trans youth frequently migrate to Toronto because of the City’s LGBTQ2 friendly reputation and because service providers located outside of the city are often reluctant to admit LGBTQ2 youth into shelters and end up sending them to Toronto with the false promise that there will be support available. However, a high proportion of queer and trans homeless youth feel safer on the streets than in shelters due to homophobic and transphobic violence that occurs in the shelter system and because shelter providers are not fully prepared to deal with homophobia and transphobia.
Although we have this knowledge, still there is minimal support available and there are NO specialized housing initiatives that meet the needs of LGBTQ2 youth in Canada.
- LOCAL RESOURCE CONNECTIONS -
ACCESS (KINGSVILLE)
23 Mill St. West, Kingsville, ONT, N9Y 1W1
Phone: 519-733-8983
www.accesscounty.ca
Supporting and strengthening Essex County through locally-driven services, advocacy and strategic community partnerships.
ACCESS (LEAMINGTON)
94 Talbot St. East
Leamington, Ontario N8H 1L3
Phone: 519-324-0990
www.accesscounty.ca
Supporting and strengthening Essex County through locally-driven services, advocacy and strategic community partnerships.
HIATUS HOUSE
250 Louis Avenue, Windsor, ONT, N9A 1W2
Phone: 519-252-7781
www.hiatushouse.com
Hiatus House is a social service agency offering confidential intervention for families experiencing domestic violence. Also providing transitional housing and support.
SALVATION ARMY
355 Church Street, Windsor, ONT,
Phone: 519-253-7473
www.salvationarmywindsor.ca
Emergency Shelter/Housing Services. Hostel for men only with meals on-site.
STREET HEALTH
711 Pelissier Street, Windsor, Ontario, N9A 4L4
519-997-2824
www.wechc.org/streethealth
Windsor Essex Community Health Centre, Street Health Site provides primary care and supportive services to individuals in our community who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
TEEN HEALTH CENTRE
1361 Ouellette Ave #101, Windsor ON, N8X 1J6
Phone: 519-253-8481
www.wechc.org/teenhealth_home
Teen Health is located at 1361 Ouellette and provides Primary Care and Counselling to youth between the ages of 12 and 24 years. Individuals come to us for Physical and Mental Health (individual and group counseling is available); Eating Disorders; Substance Abuse; Parent Support (support for parents and guardians of adolescents) and Pre and Post Natal for young moms.
WELCOME CENTRE SHELTER FOR WOMEN
263 Bridge Avenue, Windsor, ON, N9B 2M1
Phone: 519-971-7595
www.welcomecentreshelter.com
The Welcome Centre Shelter exists to reduce the devastating impact of homelessness and poverty by providing safe emergency shelter and transitional supports to women and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
WINDSOR-ESSEX COMMUNITY HEALTH
1361 Ouellette Avenue #101, Windsor, ONT, N8X 1J6
Phone: 519-253-8481
www.wechc.org
As a community Health Centre our Mission is to support the health and wellness of our vulnerable population in everything we do.
WINDSOR RESIDENCE FOR YOUNG MEN
1505 Langlois, Windsor, ONT, N8X 4M3
Phone: 226-221-8464
www.wrym.ca
Windsor Residence for Young Men. WRYM is a charitable organization designed to promote the emotional and temporal welfare of homeless male persons, 16 to 20 years of age, with the primary focus of reconciliation with their families.
WINDSOR YOUTH CENTRE
1247 Wyandotte Street East, Windsor, ONT, N9A 3K6
Phone: 226-674-0006
www.thewindsoryouthcentre.org
The Windsor Youth Centre (WYC) is a surrogate living room to over one hundred and fifty youth. Where else is there to go? The youth always answer, "Nowhere." When it opened in October 2011, the WYC was the only drop-in centre for homeless and at-risk youth in Windsor-Essex . It still is.