Street Health

The Challenge

It is well documented that homelessness and poverty can significantly compromise health.  Compared to the general public, people who are homeless or at risk are often more vulnerable to a wide range of physical and mental health problems.  These people also tend to have much greater difficulty accessing adequate, resources, support, and health care^{i ii}.  There is an identified need for greater coordination for improved access to health care support and resources among homeless and at risk people in York Region.

Our Solution

From 2008-2009, YRAEH was granted Homelessness Partnering Initiatives (HPI) funding  to work towards the improvement of access to health services by homeless and at-risk individuals in York Region, based on priorities identified in the 2008 York Region Community Plan to Address Homelessness (PDF). The Alliance began this work by conducting a pilot research study to gain a preliminary understanding of self-reported health status and access to health care of homeless and at-risk people in York Region. 

In June 2009 a Community Health Forum titled Partnering for Health and Access was hosted by the Street Health Working Group of the Alliance. The event was attended by 16 different organizations and government representatives, including three clients of one agency. Direct service providers from across York Region gathered to share data and stories about the health issues facing their clients, discuss service gaps and begin to brainstorm short- and long-term solutions.

The Alliance has received further HPI funding for 2009-2011 to conduct a more comprehensive health needs assessment, as well as to facilitate the development of three new health-related initiatives to improve health access among homeless and at-risk individuals in York Region.

ⁱ Lightman E, Mitchell, A, Wilson B. 2009. Sick and Tired: The Compromised Health of Social Assistance Recipients and the Working Poor in Ontario. Toronto: Community Social Planning Council of Toronto; University of Toronto’s Social Assistance in the New Economy Project (SANE); Wellesley Institute.

ⁱⁱ Khandor, E, Mason K. 2007. The Street Health Report 2007. Toronto: Street Health.