Youth Homelessness Is on the Ballot: Why Canada Can’t Afford to Ignore Black and Racialized Youth in the Housing Crisis
When I first arrived in Canada as a youth with two of my siblings, I was filled with hope for a new beginning. Like many newcomer families, we came seeking opportunity and a better future. But within 11 months, due to a family breakdown, I found myself without stable housing.
I moved across five cities and three provinces within two years trying to survive, navigate systems I didn’t understand. That experience shaped not only my early years in this country, but also the work I do today as the founder of REST Centres, the only Black-led, Black-serving youth housing organization in Peel Region.
Today, I see far too many Black, racialized, and newcomer youth going through the same hardships I once faced only now in the midst of a worsening housing crisis.
And with a federal election on the horizon on April 28, we must ask ourselves:
Will the next government prioritize real solutions for youth homelessness?
The Hidden Face of the Housing Crisis
Canada’s housing crisis is no longer emerging—it’s entrenched. But what’s often missing from the national dialogue is how deeply it affects Black, Indigenous, and racialized youth, many of whom are pushed into homelessness through no fault of their own.
In Canada, Black youth are overrepresented in the homelessness system, accounting for 15.4% of youth; yet Black youth make up only 4.3% of the population. Furthermore, these youth continue to be underserved by mainstream housing programs. Many of these youth are navigating trauma, family breakdown, systemic discrimination, and poverty without access to culturally responsive support.
At REST Centres, we often hear from young people that for the first time, they feel safe enough to open up, because they’re speaking with staff who share similar lived experiences. That trust is essential—and far too rare in traditional housing systems.
What Works: REST as a Community-Led Solution
Our approach at REST is rooted in lived experience, cultural competence, and prevention. We don’t just offer housing—we walk alongside youth to rebuild their lives.
Our programs include:
Bridge of Hope: Transitional housing with community landlords coupled with case management, focused on dignity and empowerment.
FIRM (Family Intervention & Reunification Management): A culturally grounded prevention program supporting youth and families in conflict.
HERO (Healing Emotional Recovery & Opportunity): Mental health support and trauma-informed care.
LIFEE & SCORE: Empowering youth with job readiness, life skills, and leadership through cultural and creative programming.
In 2024 alone, REST helped house over 60 youth and supported 117 others in maintaining housing—diverting them from shelters and helping them build a future. Inclusive of all services, REST served 275 youth in 2024.
A Call to Action: What We Need From the Next Government
This election is an opportunity to demand more than temporary fixes. We need systemic solutions that reflect the reality of youth homelessness in Canada.
Here’s what’s urgently needed:
Increased funding for Black-led, community-based housing organizations
Expansion of rent subsidies and affordable housing for youth
Investment in prevention models, like family mediation and mental health support
Support for culturally responsive services that reflect the lived experiences of youth
Equity-based funding models that ensure racialized communities are not left behind
To the Public: Your Voice Matters
You don’t need to run for office to make a difference. Here’s how you can help:
Talk to your local candidates about their plans to address youth homelessness.
Share this article and raise awareness about the unique challenges Black and racialized youth face.
Support organizations like REST that are doing the work on the frontlines with and for our youth.
Closing Thought
Youth homelessness is not inevitable, it’s the result of policy decisions and systemic gaps. But systems can change when we speak up, show up, and vote with intention.
This April, let’s make housing justice a priority. Let’s choose a future where every young person no matter their background has access to safety, stability, and opportunity.
Dagma Koyi
Founder & Executive Director, REST Centres
Advocate | Speaker | Youth Housing Champion