Grant: Project Grant

Indigenous peoples are disproportionately represented in the homeless population, while homeless individuals with substance dependency are an extremely vulnerable population susceptible to violence, victimization, premature death, poor health, social exclusion, marginalization and a vicious cycle of hospitalization, emergency shelter use, and incarceration. A lack of trauma-informed, culturally competent, culturally safe and Indigenous harm reduction services available for the homeless Indigenous population that struggle with severe alcohol use results in continued oppression while dismissing the importance of Indigenous epistemologies of healing. With the guidance of an Elder Advisory Circle and continued engagement with Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Indigenous community partners, the goal of this project is to implement and evaluate a managed alcohol program (MAP) that supports homeless Indigenous peoples living in Calgary and Victoria who struggle with severe alcohol use disorder. Research suggests MAPs are associated with tremendous positive outcomes including significant reductions in detox admissions, hospital visits, and police run-ins, while participants experience a better quality of life, gain better access to primary healthcare services and are more likely to retain their housing. This study will utilize a mixed-methods, community-based participatory approach that engages the Indigenous community, focuses on the priorities identified during engagement sessions, and seeks to improve the health outcomes of the homeless Indigenous population. It is anticipated results from this study will demonstrate a significant social return on investment and improve the health and well-being of the homeless Indigenous population while producing valuable outcomes that shape policy and best practices for culturally appropriate population health interventions.