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Homelessness-Related Research Capacities in Alberta:
A Comprehensive Environmental Scan
1990-2010
Katharina Kovacs Burns, MSc, MHSA, PhD
& Solina Richter, PhD, RNThe Road Home Conference
Edmonton, AlbertaNovember 15-17, 2010
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Acknowledgements:
Alberta Homelessness Research Consortium
All researchers, government and community participants involved with environmental scan
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Purpose of Study
To identify: Research expertise Establish the scope of homelessness-related
research capacities in Alberta, 1990-2010 Reveal gaps in knowledge that should be
pursued in future research efforts
Specific focus on seven cities within Alberta
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This type of study not been done before in Alberta or Canada!
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Deliverables for Study Registry of Alberta Homelessness
Researchers Inventory of Local, National and
International Homelessness Networks List of Researchers and Community/
Government Representatives interested in Alberta Network
Annotated Bibliography of Published Literature, 1990 – 2010
Annotated Bibliography of Grey Literature – Reports, papers, other from 1990 – 2010
Gaps & Challenges in Homelessness Research
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Methodology
Mixed methods: Literature searches Web-based searches Surveys – researchers (n=29) &
government/community (n=107) Targeted phone calls/interviews
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Registry of Alberta Researchers
Methods used: Web-based searches Publication searchesResults: 29 Alberta homelessness researchers 19 on Calgary Homeless Network 4 main areas of focus – youth, women,
health & service delivery, & homelessness discourse
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Inventory of NetworksMethod used: Internet & web searches Key/core terms searched Network = hub=coalition=collaboration Local, national & internationalResults: 70 homelessness-related networks
8 in Alberta 23 in Canada 39 international/global
Diversity of networks by functionality or targeted populations
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Interest in Alberta Network
Method used: Surveys to researchers &
government/ community representatives
Results: Interested respondents 15 of 17 researcher respondents 29 of 44 government/community
respondents
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Annotated Bibliography – Published Literature
Method used: Peer-reviewed journal searches Key terms appliedResults: 24 identified articles selected
10 on homeless youth 3 on homeless women issues 3 on discourse of homelessness issues 8 on health and service delivery
21 Master’s & PhD studies
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Annotated Bibliography – Grey Literature
Method used: Chose broad search terms for
homelessness research in grey literature Internet searches Specific community/agency website
searches Survey question; follow up phone callsResults: 822 identified; 232 selected & reviewed 12 theme areas; 2 others
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Grey Literature Theme Areas
Community Perspectives (8 documents) Counts/Assessments of People who are Homeless (30) Facilities & Services (10 documents) Housing & Homelessness (68 documents) Immigrants & Homelessness (3 documents) Planning & Plans to End Homelessness (28) Prevention of Homelessness (1 document) Progress & Annual Community Analysis of Homelessness
(33) Referencing Homelessness (19 documents) Social & General Profiling of Homelessness (11
documents) Women & Homelessness (2 documents) Youth Homelessness/Homeless Youth (9 documents)
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Homelessness Research Gaps & Challenges
Method used: Surveys Literature analysis Interviews/phone callsResults:Gaps identified by researchers &
Community/government were similarLiterature contained very few gaps and
challenges
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Researcher Gaps & Challenges Identified
Research Gaps Research Challenges
Intervention Effectiveness
Coordination of Research Elements
Rural Homelessness Data & InformationSpecific Populations
Accessing Services
Rural Homelessness
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Gov’t/Community Research Gaps & Challenges Identified
Research Gaps Research Challenges
Intervention Effectiveness
Data & information Data & InformationSpecific Populations
Accessing Services
Coordination of Research Elements
Coordination of Research Elements
Public Perception
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Comparing Gaps & Challenges Identified by Researchers and
Government/Community
Researchers Gov’t/Community
Intervention Effectiveness
Yes Yes
Data & information Yes YesSpecific Populations
Yes Yes
Rural Homelessness
Yes No
Accessing Services Yes NoInclusion of Homeless
Yes No
Coordination of Research Elements
Yes Yes
Public Perception No Yes
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Gaps identified in Literature
Best practices in prevention of homelessness
Addressing poverty Service needs of individuals Multiple episodes of homelessness Public perception and attitudes* Community engagement
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Some Common Specific Gaps in Research in Alberta:
Evaluation of effectiveness of ‘Housing First’ model
Lack of data on homelessness generally Cost of homelessness unknown Rural studies lacking Lack information on targeted populations –
e.g. youth, families, Aboriginal people, women Community strategies around implementation
of plans to end homelessness
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Suggestions to Address Research Gaps & Challenges
Researcher capacity development Research capacity development/understanding
within communities & government → Community-Based Participatory Research
More interdisciplinary & cross-sectoral homelessness research
Alberta Homelessness Research Agenda Stress information sharing, dissemination &
Knowledge Transfer Evaluation of impact of programs, services &
plans Set up Forums for sharing of research data Publish studies from grey reports
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Some next steps Consortium to work with key stakeholders
in homelessness research Use of findings/results of environmental
scan for planning future research Publish, present or make public the
results of environmental scan Populate website of Consortium with
information from environmental scan & other studies
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Thank You!
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Contact information:
Katharina Kovacs Burns, MSc, MHSA, PhDConsultant on Environmental Scan,
Director, Interdisciplinary Health Research Academy,
& Associate DirectorHealth Sciences Council
University of Alberta300 Campus TowerPh. 780-492-7766
Email: [email protected]