Skip to content

Make a donation to St. Michael's Hospital Foundation
| Share

Research Programs - Homelessness, Housing and Health

Centre for Research on Inner City Health - Keenan Research Centre

Homelessness is not just a social issue – it’s a critical health concern. CRICH studies are drawing connections between homelessness and mortality, as well as health problems like traumatic brain injury and severe mental illness. We also study health care use among people who are homeless, and assess “what works” to meet their complex needs. The evidence we produce can inform decision-making in a wide range of public domains, including health care, housing, and welfare policy.

What We Know

We’ve put together some resources to help you get to know the issues.

CRICH Primers:

 

What We’re Working On

“At Home”/“Chez Soi” Mental Health & Homelessness Demonstration Project

We are taking part in a four-year, five-city trial to look at the Housing First model of intervention. Across Canada, over 1,000 homeless people with serious mental health issues will be given an apartment of their own, and offered specialized supports. Our goal is to identify best practices that could be applied on a national scale. Find out more

REACH3

Formed in 2003, REACH3 is a national research alliance of researchers and community-based organizations in five cities across Canada. With our partners, we’re implementing a transdisciplinary, coordinated program of research on homelessness, housing, and health. Our goal is to produce evidence that can inform public policy and prompt actions that improve the health of homeless people in Canada. Learn more

Health Care Utilization Among Homeless People

If homeless people are provided with better access to primary care services, would they be less likely to visit emergency departments? To answer this question, we are measuring health care utilization in a sample of 1,200 homeless people in Toronto. This study will be the first accurate assessment of how much health care homeless people in Ontario use. Learn more

The Role of Housing in Promoting and Maintaining the Health of Victims of Domestic Violence

How does stable and affordable housing influence the lives of victims of domestic violence and their families? We’re comparing the experiences of up to 60 women who have a history of abuse and have lived in transitional housing, social housing, or independent dwellings. Our goal is to better understand the interplay between housing, violence, and health. Learn more

The Health and Housing in Transition (HHiT) Study: A Longitudinal Study of the Health of Homeless and Vulnerably Housed Adults in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa

What factors put vulnerably housed people at risk of becoming homeless? What resources help homeless people to get housed? This ambitious and innovative longitudinal study will track the health and housing status of 1,200 homeless and vulnerably housed adults in 3 Canadian cities. Our goal is to learn more about housing transitions among these populations. Learn more