The B.C. Coalition to End Youth Homelessness published its second Special Report on COVID-19 and youth homelessness in July 2020. The report recommends unique, youth-centred ways to increase income levels for youth at risk of homelessness and the development of a BC Youth Housing Action Plan that provides a continuum of housing and access to rental subsidies. The report also recommends increasing youth safety and security online to mitigate risks of exploitation and online bullying.
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Poverty
Housing
Recommendation 2: Develop and build youth-specific housing that includes a variety of accommodations including communal, transitional, supportive, scattered site, and affordable market units. There should be designated low-barrier housing for youth with mental health and substance use concerns, as well as housing for youth who do not use substances. Youth recommend having teachers, nurses, and life-skills workers onsite.-
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Housing
Recommendation 3: Designate housing units to the cohort of youth aging out of care post-pandemic to ensure no youth ages out into homelessness.-
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Housing
Recommendation 8: Begin transition planning early on for youth who are in the temporary hotels to ensure no youth is discharged back to the streets. Explore keeping hotels and designating vacation rentals to youth.-
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Housing
Recommendation 9: Provide youth with rental subsidies and financial supports that bridge the affordability gap into market housing. The temporary COVID-19 measures should be transitioned into permanent supports such as a universal basic income.-
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Youth in and from the foster care system
Recommendation 18: Provide face to face transition planning support. Youth report that the pandemic has increased isolation and anxiety, which makes it challenging to make big life decisions.-
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Youth in and from the foster care system
Recommendation 20: Ensure each youth has stable income, so they are able to afford housing ongoing.-
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Income
Recommendation 57: There must be priority to keeping income levels consistent to avoid an influx of youth experiencing homelessness. Provide youth with resources and adequate preparation time to transition off government support to employment.-
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Income
Recommendation 58: The Province should advocate to the Federal government to ensure ineligible youth who have accessed the CERB are not accumulating debt during the pandemic. Youth should obtain a pass and not have to pay back CERB or be given longer grace periods.-
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Income
Recommendation 59: If there is a second wave, there needs to be increased education on how the CERB works and who is eligible for it. There should be designated financial supports for youth with disabilities or young people who are working part-time.-
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Income
Recommendation 60: Youth need support with food security and supplies such as home kits provided by non-profits.-
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