Canadian Observatory on Homelessness

Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
Name	Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
Abbreviation	COH
Formation	2008
Type	Research network
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario
Leader title	Director

Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is a Canadian research network focused on homelessness, housing policy, and service innovation across Canada. It conducts research, produces policy-relevant reports, and convenes stakeholders from academia, indigenous organizations, health services, and municipal authorities. The organization collaborates with universities, charities, and government agencies to translate evidence into practice.

History

Founded in 2008, the initiative emerged from partnerships among researchers at York University, University of Calgary, and University of British Columbia and drew on prior work by scholars associated with Queen's University, McGill University, and University of Toronto. Early milestones included development of the Canadian definition of homelessness alongside contributors from Canadian Observatory on Homelessness-affiliated teams and engagement with non-profits such as Raising the Roof and The Salvation Army (Canada and Bermuda Division). The network expanded through grants and collaborations involving funders like the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and provincial ministries in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. Over time, the organization integrated perspectives from Indigenous groups including Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and worked with municipal partners such as the City of Toronto, City of Vancouver, and City of Calgary. International linkages developed with institutions including University of Melbourne, University College London, and Harvard University.

Mission and Objectives

The stated mission emphasizes evidence-based responses to homelessness, aiming to influence policy across federal and provincial arenas including Parliament of Canada, Government of Ontario, and Government of British Columbia. Objectives include producing standardized definitions used by agencies such as Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and aligning research with service providers like Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada. The agenda prioritizes Indigenous-led approaches reflecting mandates from Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada recommendations and coordination with health bodies such as Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial health authorities in Alberta Health Services and Toronto Public Health.

Research and Publications

Research covers prevalence studies, program evaluations, and typologies used by entities like Statistics Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, and think tanks such as the Fraser Institute and Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Publications include methodological guides used by municipal point-in-time count teams in Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Halifax, as well as thematic reports on youth homelessness collaborating with youth services like Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and housing providers such as Habitat for Humanity Canada. Peer-reviewed outputs appear in journals affiliated with University of British Columbia Press, Oxford University Press, and publishers connected to Cambridge University Press. The observatory produced evidence briefs cited by panels convened by Conference Board of Canada and commissions such as the National Housing Strategy Advisory Committee.

Programs and Initiatives

Key initiatives include knowledge mobilization platforms adopted by municipal shelters, training curricula used by frontline organizations like St. Vincent de Paul (Canada), and tools for program design referenced by provincial homelessness strategies in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The network has run surveys and toolkits for coordinated entry systems implemented in partnership with local authorities like Calgary Homeless Foundation and Vancouver Coastal Health. Specialized programs address veteran homelessness in collaboration with Royal Canadian Legion and corrections-related transitions involving agencies such as Correctional Service of Canada.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Collaborators span academic institutions including Simon Fraser University, McMaster University, Dalhousie University, and Université de Montréal; non-profit partners like Covenant House (Canada), Yonge Street Mission, and Fred Victor; and federal bodies such as Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Employment and Social Development Canada. International ties involve networks like European Observatory on Homelessness and research centers such as National Alliance to End Homelessness (US). The observatory also partners with professional associations including the Canadian Association of Social Workers and Canadian Public Health Association.

Impact and Policy Influence

Findings have informed municipal plans in Toronto, Ottawa, and Winnipeg, influenced components of the National Housing Strategy (Canada), and been cited in legislative hearings at the House of Commons of Canada. Evidence produced by the network contributed to shifts toward Housing First models promoted by organizations such as Canadian Mental Health Association and program funders including Ontario Trillium Foundation. The observatory's frameworks have been referenced by provincial inquiries and commissions addressing homelessness in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia.

Governance and Funding

Governance involves academic directors and advisory councils drawing members from institutions like York University, University of Calgary, and University of British Columbia alongside representatives from United Way Centraide Canada and Indigenous governance bodies including the Assembly of First Nations. Funding sources include research grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, project support from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, philanthropic contributions from foundations such as the McConnell Foundation and J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, and partnerships with municipal and provincial programs in Ontario and British Columbia.

Category:Homelessness in Canada Category:Research institutes in Canada