Homeless youth in London may reap the benefits of a new study conducted by the Lawson Health Research Institute.

Local researchers are evaluating different approaches to help homeless youth who also have a mental illness. The resulting research may determine whether it’s more beneficial to treat the illness first or find housing.

“The traditional view has been to deal with mental health first so that the person becomes stable enough to maintain housing, but recent U.S. studies have questioned that approach,” Cheryl Forchuk, assistant director at Lawson and leader of the study, said.

“Until now, all housing-first studies have looked at adult homeless populations […] we’re wondering if it would make sense for the younger population, which presents some unique differences,” Forchuk said.

Among these differences, she cited the potential difficulty for younger individuals to sign a lease without family involvement or housing history.

Forchuk also emphasized the significance of giving homeless youth options in the study.

“We’re offering three choices: housing first, treatment first or both housing and treatment together. Whatever they choose we will do our best to provide them with that option, and then follow them over 18 months to see what happens.”

Ross Fair, general manager of Community Services Development for the City of London, cited preference-based research as an instrumental step in improving the City’s program for assisting homeless youth.

“We’re trying to determine which approach is best. The research will help us refine our care strategy so that we have the right philosophy, and explore the possibility of different solutions for different kids.”

The study also aims to provide information on who is choosing which approach and why.

“I’m curious to see the outcome of the both-at-once option, which was criticized [for] being too overwhelming in the adult studies. I’m wondering whether youth will prefer to have the whole package all at once,” Forchuk said.

The community’s current support system, London’s Community Addiction Response Strategy, has predominantly used the housing-first theory up to this point, but according to Fair, adaptability is key.

“We need to keep an open mind. There’s no one solution that will work for everyone. Any system will be most successful if it is client-focused,” Fair said.

Doug Whitelaw, acting executive director of Ark Aid Street Mission on Dundas Street, considered shelter to be the most important element when it comes to providing aid.

“It’s important not to let people fall through the cracks. In an ideal world, you’d have both [treatment and shelter], but practically speaking, it’s hard to help people if they don’t have an address — how would you find them?” Whitelaw said.

When asked about her predictions for the outcome of the study, Forchuk remained neutral.

“I’m always willing to be surprised.”