Survey finds 13% of youth in Waterloo region experiencing homelessness
CBC
A new survey of Waterloo region's youth shows 13 per cent are experiencing homelessness or "hidden homelessness," an increase from eight per cent from 2021.
The statistic is just one released by the Children and Youth Planning Table this week as part of a report on the results of a survey of 1,876 young people in the region.
This is the third time the planning table has done the survey asking young people between the ages of nine and 18 about things like their community, relationships and mental and physical well-being. The questions are based on UNICEF Canada's index of child and youth well-being.
Julnar Aizouki is a youth connector with the planning table, which means she acts as an ambassador for the survey. She says she was surprised most by the numbers around youth homelessness.
"The homelessness numbers were higher than I expected," Aizouki told CBC K-W's The Morning Edition host,Craig Norris. "I also wouldn't have expected an increase, or foreseen that, and there was an increase in homelessness."
Other findings from the survey include:
Haniya Nazir, who is also a youth connector, said the survey is important because it helps adults in the region hear directly from young people.
"I just found it so valuable to hear from all the youth and honestly, seeing their feedback and how much they appreciated it as well," Nazir said.
But, Nazir said, it also highlights area where change is needed.
"Now we have things that we can focus on like, of course … the homelessness, also food insecurity," she said.
LISTEN | Recent survey results from Waterloo region's Children and Youth Planning Table show startling trends of homelessness and food insecurity:
That report showed 15 per cent of youth surveyed face food insecurity in the region — they may go to bed or to school hungry — which is up by 10 per cent from the previous survey in 2021.
Kian Mirzaei, another youth connector, said this year's survey attracted more respondents than previous years. The first one in 2020 saw more than 300 respondents and the second survey in 2021 got input from more than 1,000 young people.
The 2023 survey saw 1,876 youth take part.
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