Homeless Francophone Women in British Columbia: Towards an Outreach Program: Final Report

A research report on the situation and needs of homeless Francophone women, and the role of community organizations in addressing these needs. It includes a brief literature review on women and homelessness and short discussion of research limitations when addressing this population. On the basis of contacts with BC organizations and 15 interviews with organizational representatives, the second section identifies key social needs and corresponding gaps in services for homeless persons and homeless women in general, and homeless Francophone women in particular. The third section outlines outreach approaches used by various organizations in Montreal, suggesting that these approaches could be replicated in British Columbia. The final section provides recommendations to organizations, including the need for more Francophone professionals, Francophone volunteers, better information sharing with francophone professionals and volunteers, increasing public awareness of services available, and creating an organization to work towards the development of a Francophone women's transition house. Each of these recommendations are listed in a table, and examples of activities to be done in the short- and long-term in order to meet objectives are provided. The appendices include information about the interviews conducted, the organizations participating in the research, and a directory of organizations providing services to homeless people in British Columbia.