Prevention Matters logo

Session 19

Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) 101: A Proven Pathway to Ending Youth Homelessness

Thinking about how to actually do Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) in your community? This session is for you.

Panelists

  • Stephen Gaetz
  • Heidi Walter

LIVE SESSION

May 28, 2026

Learn how to put Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) into practice in your community.

In this Prevention Matters! session, HF4Y experts Stephen Gaetz from the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and Heidi Walter from A Way Home Canada share practical guidance on the Housing First for Youth model, including its core principles, common implementation challenges, and the supports available to help communities apply HF4Y successfully.

In this session, you’ll learn:
1. The core principles of Housing First for Youth
2. Key challenges and considerations when implementing HF4Y
3. Practical supports available to help communities use the model
4. Common questions from across the youth homelessness sector
5. Answers to audience questions about HF4Y implementation

Watch the full session to better understand how Housing First for Youth can support youth homelessness prevention and help communities provide young people with the housing, supports, and relationships they need to move forward.

Who Should Watch

  • Youth Housing & Shelter Workers

  • Government & Policy-Makers

  • Systems Leaders & Decion-Makers

  • Cross-Sector Collaborators

    This includes educators, health providers, child welfare partners, justice partners

  • Stephen Gaetz
    STEPHEN GAETZ is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at York University, in Toronto Canada. He is the President and CEO of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and the Homeless Hub at York University. Dr. Gaetz works in collaboration with partners to conduct research and mobilize this knowledge so as to have a greater impact on solutions to homelessness, and in particular the prevention of homelessness. In 2017 Dr. Gaetz was awarded the Member of the Order of Canada.

    Panelist

  • Heidi Walter
    HEIDI WALTER is a Program Design and Training Consultant at A Way Home Canada. Through her role, she has provided extensive hands-on coaching and training to community partners across Canada looking to establish FNS programs. Heidi is passionate about supporting youth and families to thrive, and uplifting the voices of young people.

    Panelist

PANELISTS

  • Stephen Gaetz
    STEPHEN GAETZ is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at York University, in Toronto Canada. He is the President and CEO of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and the Homeless Hub at York University. Dr. Gaetz works in collaboration with partners to conduct research and mobilize this knowledge so as to have a greater impact on solutions to homelessness, and in particular the prevention of homelessness. In 2017 Dr. Gaetz was awarded the Member of the Order of Canada.

    Panelist

  • Heidi Walter
    HEIDI WALTER is a Program Design and Training Consultant at A Way Home Canada. Through her role, she has provided extensive hands-on coaching and training to community partners across Canada looking to establish FNS programs. Heidi is passionate about supporting youth and families to thrive, and uplifting the voices of young people.

    Panelist