Waterloo Region – The Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT) of Waterloo Region has released new disaggregated Snapshot data from the 2023 Youth Impact Survey (YIS). The Experiences of Homelessness Snapshot is the sixth dataset out of eight focusing on different subpopulations of young people in Waterloo Region. The results are available here.

“One of the key pillars of our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan is ‘Homes for all.’ We’re working to build a community where everyone – from current and future generations – has a place they can call home. The data from the 2023 Youth Impact Survey, especially from young people experiencing homelessness, is guiding our actions.” said Karen Redman, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.

In partnership with UNICEF Canada, Waterloo Region Community Foundation, United Way Waterloo Region Communities, and the FamilyPsycle Lab at the University of Waterloo, the Children and Youth Planning Table ran the Youth Impact Survey through the Spring of 2023. The survey was an opportunity for young people in our community to share their experiences related to their well-being. Data from 1,867 young people who completed the survey was published in January 2024.

The Youth Impact Survey is based on the Canadian Index of Child and Youth Well-being. It asks questions across nine dimensions of well-being, including belonging, mental and emotional health, connection to the environment, participation in the community, and more. The ultimate goal of the disaggregated YIS Data Snapshots is to provide members of our community with equity-focused insights that take into account the needs and interests of different groups of children and youth.

In September, the Children and Youth Planning Table will release the seventh snapshot, which focuses on the experiences of youth with a long-term physical or mental health condition.

Fast facts

• 1,876 youth from diverse backgrounds completed the Waterloo Region Youth Impact Survey between April 30 and June 9, 2023. This is a 77% increase in responses from the last Youth Impact Survey in 2021. The Survey was open to young people ages nine to 18.
• According to Youth Impact Survey data, the number of youth experiencing homelessness has increased from 8% in 2021 to 13% in 2023.
• The number of young people who at least sometimes go to school or bed hungry has increased from 5% in 2021 to 15% in 2023. 34% of youth who have experienced homelessness have also experienced food insecurity. This is 22 percentage points higher than those with no experiences of homelessness (12%).
• According to aggregate data, 71% of young people in Waterloo Region said they felt a very strong or somewhat strong sense of belonging to their community. After disaggregating this data, we found that there is a 20 percentage point difference between respondents who have experienced homelessness (55%) and respondents who have never experienced homelessness (73%).

Quotes from Respondents

“Homelessness is a huge issue now, I want to see things done for those suffering from it to overall create a safer and better environment.”

—2023 Youth Impact Survey Respondent

“Help my family find a permanent home and help us find a place to work.”

—2023 Youth Impact Survey Respondent

“I see a lot of homeless people and I think that needs to change. You should direct more of the tax money towards giving homeless and homeless kids an opportunity to live a comfortable life.”

—2023 Youth Impact Survey Respondent

Making Sense of the Data

“It's fantastic data, and I have to admit I plan to spend some more time reviewing for my own/oneROOF's purposes. Seeing the difference in numbers just between invisible and visible homelessness has reignited a desire to pursue better prevention/diversion measures within our own organization to try and keep youth out of emergency shelters all together when we can.”

—Andrea Ferguson, Manager of Services at OneROOF Youth Services

“Every day we observe and feel the profound impact homelessness has on youth across our Region. We are committed to continuing to work with our community partners to end chronic homelessness.”

—Lindsey White, Manager of Safe Haven Youth Services at Starling Community Services

“These data points reveal a worsening issue, showing that any experience of homelessness negatively impacts all aspects of child and youth well-being. The results from the Youth Impact Survey highlight the urgent need for diverse, well-resourced organizations that can support complex needs and collaborate to address the intersectionality identified in this report. We are fortunate to have many dedicated member organizations in the CYPT, and we must do everything possible to support and scale up their efforts.”

—Jim Moss, Co-Chair of the Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region

“Homelessness is solvable.”

—Eva Vlasov, Executive Director at Argus Residence for Young People

About the Children and Youth Planning Table

The Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT) is a member-driven partnership with over 65 Voting Member Organizations across Waterloo Region. The CYPT works to improve the well-being of children and youth through a system of coordinated and effective services that are supported by capacity building initiatives. Recognizing the complex challenges and issues related to the well-being of children and youth, the CYPT operates through a collective impact model seeking to promote the shared vision of “Happy, healthy children and youth — today and tomorrow.”