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Combatting Homelessness in Canada: Applying Lessons Learned from Six Tiny Villages to the Edmonton Bridge Healing Program

Author

Listed:
  • Anson Wong

    (School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Jerry Chen

    (School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Renée Dicipulo

    (School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Danielle Weiss

    (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, AB T5G 2R1, Canada)

  • David A. Sleet

    (The Bizzell Group & School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

  • Louis Hugo Francescutti

    (School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada)

Abstract

Emerging evidence shows that homelessness continues to be a chronic public health problem throughout Canada. The Bridge Healing Program has been proposed in Edmonton, Alberta, as a novel approach to combat homelessness by using hospital emergency departments (ED) as a gateway to temporary housing. Building on the ideas of Tiny Villages, the Bridge Healing Program provides residents with immediate temporary housing before transitioning them to permanent homes. This paper aims to understand effective strategies that underlie the Tiny Villages concept by analyzing six case studies and applying the lessons learned to improving the Bridge Healing Program. After looking at six Tiny Villages, we identified four common elements of many successful Tiny Villages. These include a strong community, public support, funding with few restrictions, and affordable housing options post-graduation. The Bridge Healing Program emphasizes such key elements by having a strong team, numerous services, and connections to permanent housing. Furthermore, the Bridge Healing Program is unique in its ability to reduce repeat ED visits, lengths of stay in the ED, and healthcare costs. Overall, the Bridge Healing Program exhibits many traits associated with successful Tiny Villages and has the potential to address a gap in our current healthcare system.

Suggested Citation

  • Anson Wong & Jerry Chen & Renée Dicipulo & Danielle Weiss & David A. Sleet & Louis Hugo Francescutti, 2020. "Combatting Homelessness in Canada: Applying Lessons Learned from Six Tiny Villages to the Edmonton Bridge Healing Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6279-:d:405579
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hwang, S.W. & Chambers, C. & Chiu, S. & Katic, M. & Kiss, A. & Redelmeier, D.A. & Levinson, W., 2013. "A comprehensive assessment of health care utilization among homeless adults under a system of universal health insurance," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(S2), pages 294-301.
    2. April Jackson & Bridget Callea & Nicholas Stampar & Abigail Sanders & Alberto De Los Rios & Jake Pierce, 2020. "Exploring Tiny Homes as an Affordable Housing Strategy to Ameliorate Homelessness: A Case Study of the Dwellings in Tallahassee, FL," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-22, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chris O'Leary & Ligia Teixeira & Esther Coren & Zsolt Kiss & Anton Roberts & Harry Amitage, 2022. "PROTOCOL: The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for reducing problematic substance use, improving mental health, and improving housing stability for adults experiencing homelessness: A syste," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(4), December.
    2. Matthew Robrigado & Igor Zorić & David A. Sleet & Louis Hugo Francescutti, 2023. "Bridge Healing: A Pilot Project of a New Model to Prevent Repeat “Social Admit” Visits to the Emergency Department and Help Break the Cycle of Homelessness in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(19), pages 1, September.
    3. Chris O'Leary & Anton Roberts & Ligia Teixeira & Esther Coren, 2022. "PROTOCOL: The experiences of adults experiencing homelessness when accessing and using psychosocial interventions: A systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(4), December.
    4. Chris O'Leary & Rob Ralphs & Jennifer Stevenson & Andrew Smith & Jordan Harrison & Zsolt Kiss, 2022. "PROTOCOL: The effectiveness of abstinence‐based and harm reduction‐based interventions in reducing problematic substance use in adults who are experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage homelessnes," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(3), September.
    5. David A. Sleet & Louis Hugo Francescutti, 2021. "Homelessness and Public Health: A Focus on Strategies and Solutions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-6, November.
    6. John P. Allegrante & David A. Sleet, 2021. "Investing in Public Health Infrastructure to Address the Complexities of Homelessness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-8, August.

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