Connecting First Nations Youth With Services to Support a Safe Transition Out of Child and Family Services Into Stable Housing

Indigenous people only make up 5% of Canada’s population but account for ~30-35% of all homeless people - and in Ontario, this increases to ~70%. In this group project, we narrowed in on a critical sub-area of this problem; First Nations youth who are aging out of Child and Family services and transitioning to adulthood. This group is particularly at risk of experiencing homelessness, and lacks the proper support needed to prevent this.

Through a design-based approach, we explored a possible solution to proactively mitigate this risk by addressing the root causes early on. Through stakeholder analysis, systems thinking, and journey mapping, we identified the need for supports at a young age. This solution aims to connect First Nations youth with Indigenous-led community and support organizations, to help set them up for success at a young age and reduce future risk of homelessness.