FOYER TOOLKIT #1
www.homelesshub.ca
What is a Foyer?
In adapting the Foyer model to your community, the best place to begin is with a brief overview of what a Foyer is.
In this section, you will learn:
• A brief history of the Foyer; • What a Foyer is and why it is deemed an effective model of accommodation and support for homeless youth; and • How the Foyer fits in with other housing options for young people. is a well-established model of transitional The Foyer housing for youth that has been growing in popularity around the world over the past two decades. The term Foyer was coined in France, where a network of “Foyers pour jeunes travailleurs” (hostels for young workers) was created to support a large number of young people who, in search of work, moved to towns and cities following World War II. In the The Chelsea Foyer, New York City, NY early 1990s, the British government introduced the Foyer model in response to high youth unemployment, and the model’s success led to replication throughout the country. The growth and development of the Foyer model in the UK has been supported by the Foyer Federation , which has created a range of resources including guides for those developing foyers, staff support, a quality assurance scheme and accreditation program. Today, Foyers have been adapted and implemented in Europe, Australia and the US to include not only housing and links to employment, but also access to education, training, life skills development and on-going case management support. Focus E15 Foyer London (UK).
hen thinking about Foyers, a key What makes the Foyer model unique is Wquestion to consider is whether not just the client-driven approach to this form of accommodation and case management, life skills support and supports really makes sense for youth. programming, but the emphasis on an While transitional housing models have assets-based approach to youth devel- largely fallen out of favour in the wake opment. This philosophical orientation of the success of Housing First, it is to the Foyer is important, because often argued that when properly configured, our response to youth homelessness the Foyer effectively addresses the does not really take the developmental needs of adolescents and young adults, needs of this age group into account. and therefore should be considered as one of the key housing options for For more about the Foyer young people who are homeless. While philosophy, see Toolkit #3. there is not a huge body of research on the effectiveness of homelessness Aberdeen Foyer music interventions in general, there have By responding to youth homelessness www.aberdeenfoyer.com/music.html been a number of evaluations of largely through emergency shelters and Foyers in the UK and Australia, which day programs, are we really meeting the demonstrate positive outcomes. These needs of young people, or merely provid- evaluations show that through the ing a crisis response that was developed For resources from the Foyer model, young people enhance with adults in mind? And in helping Foyer Federation, see their education, social relationships young people move on in their lives, the Toolkit #8. and engagement, and have better focus should be successful transitions to employment and housing outcomes. adulthood, not merely independence In addition, the Foyer model has been and an exit from the system. adapted in large communities and small, in both urban and rural areas. For more on adolescent This is a housing and support model for development, see Toolkit #2. young people that works! Aberdeen Foyer, Scotland C/o Wendy Malycha, St. John’s Youth Services, Adelaide, Australia.Powerpoint: ANGLICARE WA YOUTH HOMELESSNESS FORUM PRESENTATION Foyers – International learning and relevance to Australia. For information on different models of accommodation for Foyers, see Toolkit #5.
For examples of Foyers from What makes around the world, see Toolkit #7. the Foyer so good? The Chelsea Foyer, New York City, NY
The Foyer is an effective One key feature is the heavy assets, needs and development of the response to youth emphasis on education, in recognition young person in question. that this will pay longer-term dividends homelessness because the for the individual, their families and This final point is important. The key philosophy, structure and society as a whole. Other important elements of the Foyer that we propose activities of this model of features include not only development are based on the evolution of the accommodation– if properly of life skills (for independence), but model, and the variable ways it has implemented – acknowledge also an effort to help young people been adapted in communities large and engage in meaningful relationships small to date. The real possibilities for Focus E15 Foyer London (UK). and support healthy youth and activities. Finally, the fact that community adaptation emerge when development. most Foyers allow young people to stay one considers how the model may be for extended periods of time is a key modified based on advancements in feature, and an acknowledgement that our thinking about housing and support For essential program elements, for any young person – housed or not - developed in Canada and elsewhere, see Toolkits #4, 5 and 6 the transition to adulthood takes time. including Housing First, dispersed The Foyer model we propose actually housing models with mobile supports, extends the length of stay, based on the and the notion of convertible leases.
Options for Accommodation and Support Where does the Foyer fit in?
Young people are not a homogeneous are without the support of parents or group. There are important differences guardians typically includes emergency based on age, maturity, development, shelters, transitional housing, group resilience and levels of independence. homes, supported housing and inde- These differences are further pendent living, depending on the com- complicated by the experiences of munity in question. Many other models Aberdeen Foyer, learning education & training sexism, racism and homophobia that are hybrids of the above options. www.aberdeenfoyer.com/education.html many young people endure. The challenge for service providers and sexism, racism and homophobia need The uniqueness of individual adoles- policy makers is in considering exactly targeted solutions? In other words, cents’ experiences of homelessness sug- what kind of housing and supports are what works and for whom? Given the gests we need to carefully consider the effective, and appropriate given the dynamic relationship between adoles- kinds of accommodation and support diverse circumstances and needs of cence and homelessness, it is worth that are appropriate for this popula- young people. Do younger teens need considering whether there continues to tion. The range of accommodation op- different solutions than older teens? Do be a role for transitional or interim hous- tions for young people in Canada who those who are multiply marginalized by ing and / or supports. Diagram 1 Housing Options for Homeless Youth
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
INDEPENDENT LIVING
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 AGE
An effective response to youth may be most appropriate for many homelessness should give young young people who require the longer- people choices and options based on term supports we generally consider their age, maturity, experience and necessary in helping them transition need. The diagram below establishes to adulthood, while building life skills a range of options for accommodation that enhance their capacity to become and supports for young people who economically self-sufficient and socially are – or are at risk of becoming – integrated community members. homeless. This model is not conceived as a continuum – for instance, it is not There are a range of transitional housing necessary for young people to pass models characterized by differences through the various stages on the road in size, scale, program and length of to independence. Rather it is designed residency. Fixed site, congregate living in recognition that different young environments with intensive supports Chelsea foyer common ground www.housingpolicy.org/gallery/entries/The_Christopher.html people will need different solutions, may be important for some youth (and and that needs may shift and change in particular, younger teens), who will over time. benefit from the companionship, and a higher level of day-to-day support. This The first housing option identified is where the Foyer best fits. is transitional housing, which “is meant to provide a safe, supportive A second option – enhanced environment where residents can accommodation – moves towards a overcome trauma, begin to address less institutionalized environment by the issues that led to homelessness offering smaller settings and in some or kept them homeless, and begin cases uses dispersed housing in the to rebuild their support network” . It community or a scattered site approach. should be considered part of a range of This means that young people housing options for youth , but should experience greater independence by be configured to more directly address living alone or in small groups, and the needs of the developing adolescent still have access to supports that are and young adult. This is what makes portable. The key advantage here is the Foyer a strong model. Because the that young people are supported in experience of adolescence is inherently their transition from homelessness in transitional, this form of housing a way that reduces stigma and offers
Step Ahead, Melbourne Citymission www.melbournecitymission.org.au/What-We-Do/ Our-Programs-Services/Homelessness-Services/ Homelessness-Homeless-Support/Foyer-Plus more opportunities to integrate into the (which may be in the community and depending on their need, some level of community, provides greater control not part of their housing) and eventually supports may continue. over tenure, and is an alternative to an progress to full independence. This is institutional living environment . At the the end goal of any transitional housing So, while transitional models of housing same time, residents are not yet fully model. and support such as the Foyer should responsible for their leases, or required definitely be part of the range of housing to earn sufficient income to live in The three categories should not be options for homeless youth, there are these more independent settings. In considered entirely independent some recommended modifications that the case of young people leaving care and discrete, and it is worth pointing should be considered when adapting (group homes) or juvenile detention, in out that some transitional housing the model. For instance, rather than particular, and who may react negatively models (including some Foyers) are limit the length of residency (most to a more institutional environment, able to bridge all these options. As the transitional housing models for youth this may be a more suitable option. In diagram suggests, the age at which in Canada limit stays to one year, and both Australia and the United Kingdom, young people can live independently in some cases 18 months), the Foyer there have been successful adaptations is variable. That is, depending on their should be more flexible and ideally not of the Foyer model to include dispersed age, needs and level of independence, be time limited. Length of stay should housing with portable supports . young people leaving homelessness (or be based on the age at which a young institutional care) may need different person enters a program, their needs, The third option is independent housing options. This approach assets and level of independence. living, where young people move creates a pathway from higher levels of Finally, successful Foyers should be into housing of their own. This is the supports to independent living. Young tightly integrated into other supports, as Housing First option. The successful individuals with little independent living part of a ‘system of care’. As we will see, Infinity Project in Calgary confirms experience may prefer a housing option a modified and enhanced version of the that some young people will require where they are not responsible for the Foyer may offer Canadian communities intensive case management (which may lease, but in time, as they obtain greater a way of rethinking transitional housing be longer lasting, depending on need), independence, the lease is transferred and supports for homeless and at-risk while others will need minimal supports to their name. In this context, and youth.
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#10 TOOLKITS
Live, learn, grow: #2 The Foyer and Transitions to Adulthood
Supporting Transitions to Adulthood for Homeless Youth #3 The Philosophy and Principles of the Foyer #4 Foyer Essentials Part 1: The Program #5 Foyer Essentials Part 2: Accommodation #6 Foyer Essentials Part 3: Organizational Framework #7 Foyer Case Studies A FRAMEWORK FOR THE FOYER IN CANADA #8 Resources from the Foyer Federation (UK)
Stephen Gaetz & Fiona Scott
READ THE FULL REPORT Evaluation Research on Foyers References
Allen, C. (2001). On the Social Consequences (and Social Conscience) of ‘the Foyer 1. Novac, S., Brown, J., & Bourbonnais, C. Industry’: A Critical Ethnography. Journal of Youth Studies, 4(4), 471-494. (2004a). Research Report: Transitional Housing Objectives, Indicators of Suc- Beer, A., Delfabbro, P., Oakley, S., Verity, F., Natalier, K., Packer, J., & Bass, A. (2005). cess, and Outcomes. Ottawa, ON: Cana- Developing models of good practice in meeting the needs of homeless young dian Mortgage and Housing Corpora- people in rural areas. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, 83. tion Common Ground Community and Good Sheppard Services. (2009). The Chelsea 2. Eberle Planning and Research, Kraus, Foyer at the Christopher at Five Years: Lessons in Developing Stable Housing and D., & Woodward, J. (2007). Vancouver Self-Sufficiency For Homeless Youth and Youth Exiting Foster Care. New York, NY: Youth Housing Options Study. Vancou- Good Shepherd Services. ver, BC: Vancouver Youth Funders Table. Department of Human Services (2010) Enhanced accommodation and support Millar, H. (2009). Rehousing Vancou- models for young people, with an emphasis on participation in employment, edu- ver’s Street-Involved Youth. Ottawa, cation & training: discussion paper, Department of Human Services, Melbourne, ON: Canadian Policy Research Networks viewed 13 July 2010,