Grant: Operating Grant

Approximately 30,000 Canadians are homeless every night in Canada, costing the economy ~$7 billion annually. It is also estimated that as many as 67% of homeless adults in Canada have a mental illness. Homeless mentally ill adults are more likely to come into contact with the criminal justice system than other citizens, although they may be more likely to be the victims of violent crime than to perpetrate violence. Further, although mentally ill citizens commit less severe offenses than non-mentally ill citizens, they use 87% more police resources. This has led to widespread concerns around safety, the lack of appropriate services for this marginalized population, and associated costs. Presently, the approach believed to be most appropriate to serving mentally ill homeless adults is Housing First, a low barrier, rapid approach to providing housing and services (e.g., sobriety is not a requirement). However, research regarding the costs and appropriateness of Housing First for reducing criminal justice contacts and increasing safety is virtually nonexistent. This study will examine the relationships between victimization, homelessness, and criminal justice contacts in a large sample (N=1452) of homeless adults with mental illness. In the At Home/Chez Soi project, our team recently completed the largest study of a Housing First intervention ever done. By integrating extensive administrative data with the wealth of self report data from At Home Chez Soi the proposed project will build on that study and will examine how housing and services may reduce instances of victimization and contact with the criminal justice system in general, and among specific groups (e.g., women; Aboriginals). We will also report on the costs associated with health and criminal justice contacts and the intervention. Our capacity to improve services to one of the most marginalized populations in Canada has enormous potential for reducing human and economic costs.