Housing survey needs ideas, opinions from youth

25 Jul 2012
Kamloops Daily News
KEITH ANDERSON/THE DAILY NEWS

Several social agencies and non-profit organizations are being asked to help a newly formed committee gauge the thoughts of Kamloops youth — particularly their thoughts on being homeless.

The survey of nine questions is aimed at youth between the ages of 14 and 25 and is the first big step for the members of the Youth Services and Youth Housing Steering Committee.

Phoenix Centre executive director Sian Lewis is one of the founding members of the committee, along with retired school principal Chris Rose.

“When we started batting around this idea of youth services and youth housing, we thought, ‘Let’s do a survey. Let’s talk to the youth,’ ” said Lewis.

The survey will circulate for three weeks this summer and again in November.

Lewis said her committee, which includes representatives from ASK Wellness, the Homelessness Action Plan and KamloopsThompson School District, is looking for key information from the young people.

“We’re trying to keep it very straightforward, very simplified,” she said.

“Just getting at the heart of what is their experience with homeless, if any. . . . and we’ve kept the definition of homelessness quite broad because we really want to capture any youth who at any time feel they don’t have a safe place to go.”

It is also hoped the survey will reveal barriers to safe, affordable housing for youth in Kamloops.

Lewis said about 25 to 30 organizations are being asked to help distribute the questions. The committee is also getting help from two summer students, who have been hired as project leaders.

Survey participants will have the option of filling out their answers in print or online. Once the information is in, the committee will compile the results and prepare a detailed report for the public.

Lewis hopes the results give a clear picture of homelessness among youth, while at the same time revealing services that are needed to help address the problem.

“It’s not just about getting a roof over their head,” said Lewis.

Once the report is finished, the committee will decide its next steps.

“For example, are we going to build supported housing? Are we going to be maybe developing a care-home model where you’ve got families willing to take these youth in and you wrap around supports?” suggests Lewis.

“More specific to certain issues, do we need youth detox beds? Maybe we don’t. So, it’s going to be interesting to see what kind of information comes from this.”