Grant: Operating Grant: Programmatic Grants to tackle health and health equity - LOI

Over the course of one year, an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 people experience homelessness across Canada. Homeless people are among the most marginalized groups in society, and they suffer from many serious threats to their health. The objective of this Programmatic Research Grant is to conduct a series of conceptually linked projects that will examine population health interventions to reduce homelessness and improve health in different regions in Canada. The research program will focus on three interrelated streams:(1) an environmental scan of homelessness action plans, housing policies, housing programs, and health care services for homeless people; (2) an evaluation of the effects of specific housing policies and programs, and their interaction with health care delivery systems, on residential stability and health status among homeless individuals; and (3) an assessment of the effectiveness of knowledge translation strategies related to Housing First and other support housing programs. This program will take advantage of opportunities to conduct observational research in major urban centres (Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Ottawa) as programs and policies are enacted. Comparative analyses will be performed where there are differences across jurisdictions in policies, program implementation, and health care systems related to the homeless population. Through these systematic and critical comparisons, we will aim to identify crucial factors that can inform methodological innovations in housing, health services, and knowledge translation for the benefit of homeless populations.