News Release
Ottawa, June 17, 2025 – The Mental Health Commission of Canada releases today its newest report, Housing First – What’s Next?, containing a clear set of recommendations on how to combat chronic homelessness in Canada. The insights stem from a historic workshop composed of 62 experts from across Canada who gathered in Ottawa in October 2024 to discuss Housing First as one of the critical approaches to addressing chronic homelessness and to propose adjustments to the approach that would allow it to better meet today’s challenges. Recommendations include greater use of data, more support and training for personnel, expanding affordable housing and wraparound services and strengthening leadership and public engagement around Housing First and the positive impact and sustainability of this approach.
“Housing First is imperative for people coming out of homelessness because there are no preconditions,” says Leif Harris, a graduate student and research assistant at Carleton University who has experienced homelessness firsthand. “It fosters individualized plans and ultimately supports the integration of community – which in and of itself is necessary for connection and healing. A renewed and updated approach is needed to help Canadians find the permanent housing and support services they so desperately need.”
The idea for a workshop came from Dr. Vicky Stergiopolous and Nick Kerman at The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, who approached the Mental Health Commission of Canada with the hopes of convening experts to rekindle the conversation on the Housing First approach in Canada. Known for its effectiveness in addressing chronic homelessness, Housing First is an evidence-based approach providing people experiencing homelessness with permanent housing and access to supportive health services. It is based on the idea that the first and most primary need for people is housing, and that any other issues a person is living with can be addressed once a person has safe and stable housing. The approach was first implemented at the national level in Canada in 2008 after the federal government commissioned the Mental Health Commission of Canada to undertake a research demonstration project on mental health and homelessness. Spread over six years and across five Canadian cities, the project (At Home/Chez Soi) demonstrated the effectiveness of a Housing First approach in delivering practical, effective support to people experiencing homelessness and mental health problems.
“At Home/Chez Soi was a groundbreaking demonstration project that significantly impacted our understanding of how to end chronic homelessness in Canada,” says Tim Aubry, Co-Chair of the Canadian Housing First Network and Emeritus Professor at the University of Ottawa. “Over the past 15 years, we were able to see first-hand the effectiveness of the Housing First approach in communities across Canada, while at the same time adapting the approach to address the changing landscape of homelessness.”
Originally expecting a group of 20-30, the workshop was attended by 62 participants including persons with lived or living experience, researchers, clinicians, policy makers, government representatives at all levels, service providers, mental health and substance use health organizations and housing and homelessness organizations. Participants joined the workshop from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, and Finland.
“Many things have changed since we first launched Housing First,” says Tim Aubry. “We’re now living through an extended opioid crisis, overcrowding in our shelters, an increase in unsheltered homelessness, a shortage of affordable housing stock and increases in inflation and rentals prices. This report comes at a critical time.”
Now available at mentalhealthcommission.ca, the recommendations will be shared with Canadians via a multi-year, multi-channel effort to help invigorate the impact of Canada’s Housing First approach and turn the tide on chronic homelessness. This will include targeted social media campaigns and outreach to organizations to share findings and explore opportunities for collective action.
As a major factor in the health and wellbeing of Canadians, mental health and substance use health issues are intricately woven into Canada’s housing crisis.
“Housing First transformed how we address homelessness in Canada by proving people can thrive when they have a safe, stable place to call home,” says Michel Rodrigue, President and CEO at The Mental Health Commission of Canada. “Rising rates of homelessness and increasingly complex mental health and substance use challenges makes it timely to revisit the approach, recognizing and adapting to new contexts while embracing the factors the led to the model’s success.”
The complete report, including a summary and various background documents, are available at mentalhealthcommission.ca.
About Mental Health Commission of Canada
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is a national not for profit organization, committed to reducing stigma and improving access to quality mental health and substance use services across Canada. The MHCC collaborates with leading experts, nationally and internationally, including with people with lived and living experience, to develop national standards and strategies, promote innovation, enhance mental health literacy, and advise and equip all levels of government to improve mental health outcomes for those living in Canada.
For more information or to schedule an interview:
Mary Moniz
Torchia Communications
647-278-0152
mary@torchiacom.com
