1 Homelessness-Related Research Capacities in Alberta: A Comprehensive Environmental Scan Katharina Kovacs Burns, MSc, MHSA, PhD & Solina Richter, PhD, RN The Road Home Conference Edmonton, Alberta November 15-17, 2010

2 Acknowledgements: Alberta Homelessness Research Consortium All researchers, government and community participants involved with environmental scan

3 Purpose of Study To identify: Research expertise Establish the scope of homelessness-related research capacities in Alberta, Reveal gaps in knowledge that should be pursued in future research efforts Specific focus on seven cities within Alberta

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5 This type of study not been done before in Alberta or Canada!

6 Deliverables for Study Registry of Alberta Homelessness Researchers Inventory of Local, National and International Homelessness Networks List of Researchers and Community/ Government Representatives interested in Alberta Network Annotated Bibliography of Published Literature, 1990 – 2010 Annotated Bibliography of Grey Literature – Reports, papers, other from 1990 – 2010 Gaps & Challenges in Homelessness Research

7 Methodology Mixed methods: Literature searches Web-based searches Surveys – researchers (n=29) & government/community (n=107) Targeted phone calls/interviews

8 Registry of Alberta Researchers Methods used: Web-based searches Publication searches Results: 29 Alberta homelessness researchers 19 on Calgary Homeless Network 4 main areas of focus – youth, women, health & service delivery, & homelessness discourse

9 Inventory of Networks Method used: Internet & web searches Key/core terms searched Network = hub=coalition=collaboration Local, national & international Results: 70 homelessness-related networks 8 in Alberta 23 in Canada 39 international/global Diversity of networks by functionality or targeted populations

10 Interest in Alberta Network Method used: Surveys to researchers & government/ community representatives Results: Interested respondents 15 of 17 researcher respondents 29 of 44 government/community respondents

11 Annotated Bibliography – Published Literature Method used: Peer-reviewed journal searches Key terms applied Results: 24 identified articles selected 10 on homeless youth 3 on homeless women issues 3 on discourse of homelessness issues 8 on health and service delivery 21 Master’s & PhD studies

12 Annotated Bibliography – Grey Literature Method used: Chose broad search terms for homelessness research in grey literature Internet searches Specific community/agency website searches Survey question; follow up phone calls Results: 822 identified; 232 selected & reviewed 12 theme areas; 2 others

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14 Grey Literature Theme Areas Community Perspectives (8 documents) Counts/Assessments of People who are Homeless (30) Facilities & Services (10 documents) Housing & Homelessness (68 documents) Immigrants & Homelessness (3 documents) Planning & Plans to End Homelessness (28) Prevention of Homelessness (1 document) Progress & Annual Community Analysis of Homelessness (33) Referencing Homelessness (19 documents) Social & General Profiling of Homelessness (11 documents) Women & Homelessness (2 documents) Youth Homelessness/Homeless Youth (9 documents)

15 Homelessness Research Gaps & Challenges Method used: Surveys Literature analysis Interviews/phone calls Results: Gaps identified by researchers & Community/government were similar Literature contained very few gaps and challenges

16 Researcher Gaps & Challenges Identified Research GapsResearch Challenges Intervention Effectiveness Coordination of Research Elements Rural Homelessness Data & Information Specific Populations Accessing Services Rural Homelessness

17 Gov’t/Community Research Gaps & Challenges Identified Research GapsResearch Challenges Intervention Effectiveness Data & information Data & Information Specific Populations Accessing Services Coordination of Research Elements Public Perception

18 Comparing Gaps & Challenges Identified by Researchers and Government/Community ResearchersGov’t/Community Intervention Effectiveness Yes Data & information Yes Specific Populations Yes Rural Homelessness YesNo Accessing Services YesNo Inclusion of Homeless YesNo Coordination of Research Elements Yes Public Perception NoYes

19 Gaps identified in Literature Best practices in prevention of homelessness Addressing poverty Service needs of individuals Multiple episodes of homelessness Public perception and attitudes* Community engagement

20 Some Common Specific Gaps in Research in Alberta: Evaluation of effectiveness of ‘Housing First’ model Lack of data on homelessness generally Cost of homelessness unknown Rural studies lacking Lack information on targeted populations – e.g. youth, families, Aboriginal people, women Community strategies around implementation of plans to end homelessness

21 Suggestions to Address Research Gaps & Challenges Researcher capacity development Research capacity development/understanding within communities & government → Community-Based Participatory Research More interdisciplinary & cross-sectoral homelessness research Alberta Homelessness Research Agenda Stress information sharing, dissemination & Knowledge Transfer Evaluation of impact of programs, services & plans Set up Forums for sharing of research data Publish studies from grey reports

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23 Some next steps Consortium to work with key stakeholders in homelessness research Use of findings/results of environmental scan for planning future research Publish, present or make public the results of environmental scan Populate website of Consortium with information from environmental scan & other studies

24 Thank You!

25 Contact information: Katharina Kovacs Burns, MSc, MHSA, PhD Consultant on Environmental Scan, Director, Interdisciplinary Health Research Academy, & Associate Director Health Sciences Council University of Alberta 300 Campus Tower Ph