Project 466652

Homelessness is a serious health threat. For the 20% of Canadas homeless population who are youth, the causes, consequences, and experiences of homelessness are distinct. It is also well established that gender shapes mental health experiences broadly. However, gendered norms, opportunities, and constraints add another layer to the already complex experience of being a male, female, transgender or non-binary young person who lives with homelessness, yet research in this area is limited. This gap is important to fill, because gendered expectations and barriers may be amplifying the risks associated with homelessness, placing an already vulnerable population at increased risk. In order to understand how gender shapes experiences of adolescent homelessness, a qualitative study through the lens of intersectionality theory will be conducted. Interviews will take place with youth between the ages of 16 and 25 who self-identify as homeless as well as with key informants, such as volunteers and staff from a youth shelter within the Niagara Region. Additionally, the shelter will be observed to understand how gendered expectations and norms shape the shelters physical structure and their programming. The goal of this study is to produce understanding of how gender shapes experiences of adolescent homelessness that is attentive to the intersectional complexities of the lives of young people. Findings will inform policy and practice in the homeless serving sector creating better trajectories and outcomes for homeless youth. This is a matter of social justice.