By Bernie Pauly
Community and university researchers Bernadette (Bernie) Pauly (UVic, School of Nursing), Bruce Wallace (Victoria Cool Aid Society), Mike Ranfft (Victoria Cool Aid Society), Kathleen Perkin (UVic, Centre for Addictions Research), Cheryl Henley (Victoria Cool Aid Society), Vic Budd (Victoria Cool Aid Society), Margo Matwychuk (UVic, Anthropology), Aleck Ostry (UVic, Geography), Deborah Curran (UVic, Law) and Trish Irish (Community Social Planning Council), collaborated on a nationally funded (CMHC, SSHRC) study to evaluate the effectiveness of a transitional shelter program in breaking the cycle of homelessness. Within an overarching framework of community based research (CBR), a case study research design was used to investigate the impact of the program within the larger ocio-economic context, such as housing availability and affordability, income adequacy, health and access to healthcare.
The research was initiated by Victoria Cool Aid Society and brought together a new team of researchers from Victoria Cool Aid Society, Community Social Planning Council and UVic (nursing, geography, anthropology and law). The shelter staff were co-researchers and participated in the development of the research questions, data collection tools and interpretation of the findings. The program facilitated access to affordable housing and better incomes needed to gain a foothold in a housing market characterized by low vacancy rates and high rental costs. Further the program connected clients to primary health care services and social supports that contributed to improved health. However, people still experienced food insecurity and rent supports were time limited.
The findings of this research highlight that transitional housing can be effectively integrated into neighborhoods and facilitate access to housing, improved health, and access to services. Food insecurity and time-limited rental supports make it difficult to break the cycle of poverty.
From 2011 Winter Communiqué
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